Deazapurines and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides compounds having formula (I), wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and n are as described generally and in classes and subclasses herein, and additionally provides pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for the use thereof in the treatment of inflammatory or autoimmune and proliferative disorders and as inhibitors of cell adhesion molecule expression and inflammatory cytokine signal transduction generally.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Provisional Application is related to co-pending ProvisionalApplication No. 60/346,598, filed Jan. 7, 2002, and which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inflammation is a process resulting from the dilation and increasedpermeability of blood vessels at site of injury or infection. Chemokinesand cytokines released at the site increase the expression of cellsurface proteins on endothelial cells, allowing circulating leukocytesto stick to the vessel wall and migrate to the site of injury/infectionwithin the tissue. These cell surface proteins, termed “cell adhesionmolecules” allow the interaction between the leukocytes and theendothelial cells, and mediate the migration of leukocytes into thetissue. Additionally, cell adhesion molecules are required for many ofthe cell-to-cell interactions in the inflammatory and immune responses.There are three classes of adhesion molecules: selectins, integrins andimmunmoglobulin-related proteins which can be expressed on leukocytesand endothelial cells. Several of the adhesion molecules, includingE-selectin and ICAM, are induced by cytokines such as IL-1 and TNF, andtheir expression is mediated by the transcriptional factor, NF-κB.

Sustained or inappropriate expression of adhesion molecules can lead toinflammatory or autoimmune disorders. Exaggerated expression ofE-selectin and/or ICAM can result in chronic inflammation and has beenassociated with several inflammatory or autoimmune disorders. Therefore,inhibitors of cell adhesion molecules may be useful for the treatment ofthese diseases.

Inflammatory and autoimmune diseases are not well managed by currenttherapy and developments of better drugs are widely pursued. Forexample, rheumatoid arthritis is a state of chronic inflammation withinthe joint characterized by cartilage and bone destruction. Traditionaltherapies for inflammatory or autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoidarthritis, include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and salicylates,gold compounds, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, corticosteroids, oralpenicillamines, and cytotoxic or immunosuppressive drugs. However, manyof these therapies are not always sufficiently effective and haveresulted in serious side effects. More recently, injectable forms ofTNFα neutralizing proteins have been successfully marketed for thetreatment of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's Disease; however, anorally available inhibitor has not been developed for these inflammatoryor autoimmune diseases.

Clearly, there remains a need to identify new classes of therapeuticagents for the treatment of inflammatory or autoimmune and proliferativediseases, preferably that are orally available, and are free of seriousside effects. It would also be desirable to define new classes oftherapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammatory or autoimmune andproliferative disorders in general.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, there remains a need for the development of noveltherapeutic agents useful for treating inflammatory or autoimmune andproliferative diseases. The present invention provides novel compoundsof general formula (I),

and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, as described generally and inclasses and subclasses herein, as well as methods of making and usingsuch compounds

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In recognition of the need to investigate and define new classes oftherapeutic agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and otherdisorders (in certain embodiments, inflammatory or autoimmune andproliferative disorders), the present invention provides noveldeazapurines and analogues thereof, as described in more detail herein,which are useful generally in the treatment of inflammatory orautoimmune and proliferative disorders. In certain embodiments, thecompounds of the present invention can be used for the treatment ofdiseases and disorders including, but not limited to, rheumatoidarthritis, ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease, central nervous systemdiseases (CNS) such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus,asthma, allograft rejection/graft versus host disease (GVHD), psoriasis,atopic dermatitis, eczema, uticaria, allergic rhinitis, myastheniagravis, diabetes, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura,glomerulonephritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

1) General Description of Compounds of the Invention

The compounds of the invention include compounds of the general formula(I) (and tautomers thereof) as further defined below:

-   -   and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof;    -   wherein n is an integer from 0-4;    -   R₁ is hydrogen, —NH₂, —NHMe, —NHAc, —OH, F, —OMe, —CN, or        —NH(C═O)OEt;    -   R₂ is hydrogen, —NR_(A)R_(B), —OR_(A), an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein R_(A) and        R_(B) are each independently hydrogen or an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety;    -   each occurrence of R₃ is independently hydrogen, halogen, cyano,        or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, or        a group -G-R_(C), wherein G is absent or is CH₂—, —NR_(D), —O—,        or (C—O), and wherein R_(C) is hydrogen, —NR_(F)R_(G), —OR_(F),        —SR_(F), or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl        moiety, wherein R_(D), R_(F) and R_(G) are each independently        hydrogen, —NR_(x)R_(y), an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl        moiety, an acyl moiety substituted with an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein R_(D) and        R_(C) or R_(F) and R_(D) taken together are a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-        or 8-membered substituted or unsubstituted cycloaliphatic or        cycloheteroaliphatic moiety; wherein each occurrence of R_(x)        and R_(y) is independently hydrogen, an aliphatic,        cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic, cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or        heteroaryl moiety, an acyl moiety substituted with an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein R_(x) and        R_(y) taken together are a 4-, 5- or 6-membered substituted or        unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cycloaliphatic or        cycloheteroaliphatic moiety;    -   whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic        moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted,        cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated        and wherein each of the foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties        may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.

In certain embodiments, the present invention defines certain classes ofcompounds which are of special interest. For example, one class ofcompounds of special interest includes those compounds substituted withtwo occurrences of R₃ in which the compound has the structure:

-   -   wherein R_(3a) and R_(3b) are each independently hydrogen,        halogen, cyano, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or        heteroaryl moiety, or a group G-R_(C), wherein G is absent,        CH₂—, —NR_(D)—, —O—, or (C═O), and wherein R_(C) is hydrogen,        —NR_(F)R_(G), —OR_(F), —SR_(F), or an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein R_(D),        R_(F) and R_(G) are each independently hydrogen, —NR_(x)R_(y),        an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic,        cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, an acyl moiety        substituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or        heteroaryl moiety, or wherein R_(D) and R_(C) or R_(F) and R_(G)        taken together are a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-membered        substituted or unsubstituted cycloaliphatic or        cycloheteroaliphatic moiety; wherein each occurrence of R_(x)        and R_(y) is independently hydrogen, an aliphatic,        cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic, cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or        heteroaryl moiety, an acyl moiety substituted with an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein R_(x) and        R_(y) taken together are a 4-, 5- or 6-membered substituted or        unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cycloaliphatic or        cycloheteroaliphatic moiety;    -   whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic        moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted,        cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated;        and wherein each of the foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties        may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.

Another class of compounds of special interest comprises compoundshaving the structure:

-   -   wherein R_(3a) and R_(3b) are each independently hydrogen,        halogen, cyano, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or        heteroaryl moiety, or a group G-R_(C), wherein G is absent,        CH₂—, —NR_(D)—, —O—, or (C═O), and wherein R_(C) is hydrogen,        —NR_(F)R_(G), —OR_(F), —SR_(F), or an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein R_(D),        R_(F) and R_(C) are each independently hydrogen, —NR_(x)R_(y),        an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic,        cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, an acyl moiety        substituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or        heteroaryl moiety, or wherein R_(D) and R_(C) or R_(F) and R_(G)        taken together are a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-membered        substituted or unsubstituted cycloaliphatic or        cycloheteroaliphatic moiety; wherein each occurrence of R_(x)        and R_(y) is independently hydrogen, an aliphatic,        cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic, cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or        heteroaryl moiety, an acyl moiety substituted with an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein R_(x) and        R_(y) taken together are a 4-, 5- or 6-membered substituted or        unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cycloaliphatic or        cycloheteroaliphatic moiety;    -   whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic        moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted,        cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated;        and wherein each of the foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties        may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.

Another class of compounds of special interest comprises compoundshaving the structure of formula (I) in which R₃, is H₂NR_(F)R_(G) andR_(3b) is hydrogen and the compound has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₁, R₂, R_(F) and R_(G) are as defined generally above        and in classes and subclasses herein.

Another class of compounds of special interest comprises compoundshaving the structure of formula (I) in which R_(3b) is —CH₂NR_(F)R_(G)and R_(3a) is hydrogen and the compound has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₁, R₂, R_(F) and R_(G) are as defined generally above        and in classes and subclasses herein.

Another class of compounds of special interest comprises compoundshaving the structure of formula (I) in which R_(3c), is CH₂NR_(F)R_(G),and R_(3d) is hydrogen and the compound has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₁, R₂, R_(F) and R_(G) are as defined generally above        and in classes and subclasses herein.

Another class of compounds of special interest comprises compoundshaving the structure of formula (I) in which R_(3a) is(CH═CH)_(q)CH₂(CH₂)_(r)NR_(F)R_(G) and R_(3b) is hydrogen and thecompound has the structure:

-   -   wherein q and r are each independently 0 or 1; and R₁, R₂, R_(F)        and R_(G) are as defined generally above and in classes and        subclasses herein.

Another class of compounds of special interest comprises compoundshaving the structure of formula (I) in which R_(3a) is hydrogen andR_(3b) is —(CH═CH)_(q)CH₂(CH₂)_(r)NR_(F)R_(G) and the compound has thestructure:

-   -   wherein q and r are each independently 0 or 1; and R₁, R₂, R_(F)        and R_(G) are as defined generally above and in classes and        subclasses herein.

Another class of compounds of special interest includes compounds havingthe structure of formula (I) in which R_(3a) is —(C═O)NR_(F)R_(G) andR_(3b) is hydrogen and the compound has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₁, R₂, R_(F) and R_(G) are as defined generally above        and in classes and subclasses herein.

Another class of compounds of special interest includes compounds havingthe structure of formula (I) in which R_(3b) is —(C═O)NR_(F)R_(G) andR_(3a) is hydrogen and the compound has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₁, R₂, R_(F) and R_(G) are as defined generally above        and in classes and subclasses herein.

Another class of compounds of special interest comprises compoundshaving the structure of formula (I) in which R_(3a) isCH₂S(═O)_(m)NR_(F)R_(G) and R_(3b) is hydrogen and the compound has thestructure:

-   -   wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined generally above and in classes        and subclasses herein;    -   m is 0, 1 or 2; and    -   R_(F) is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic,        cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety;    -   whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic        moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted,        cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated;        and wherein each of the foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties        may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.

Another class of compounds of special interest comprises compoundshaving the structure of formula (1) in which R_(3a) is CH₂OR_(F) andR_(3b) is hydrogen and the compound has the structure:

-   -   wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined generally above and in classes        and subclasses herein; and    -   R_(F) is hydrogen, a protective group or an aliphatic,        cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic, cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or        heteroaryl moiety;    -   whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic        moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted,        cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated;        and wherein each of the foregoing aril or heteroaryl moieties        may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.

A number of important subclasses of each of the foregoing classesdeserve separate mention; these subclasses include subclasses of theforegoing classes in which:

-   -   i) R₁ is NH₂;    -   ii) R₁ is hydrogen;    -   iii) R₁ is NHMe;    -   iv) R₁ is NHAc;    -   v) R₂ is NH₂, OH, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkenyl, said alkyl and        alkenyl groups optionally substituted with halogen or hydroxyl;    -   vi) R₂ is C₁-C₂ alkyl;    -   vii) R₂ is methyl;    -   viii) R₂ is hydrogen;    -   ix) one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and the        other is an alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl or        alkylheteroaryl, optionally independently substituted for each        occurrence with one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, or        substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or        heteroaryl, or wherein R_(F) and R_(G) taken together are a        6-membered substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic moiety;    -   x) one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and the        other is an aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl or alkylheteroaryl        moiety, optionally independently substituted for each occurrence        with one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, or substituted        or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, or        wherein R_(F) and R_(G) taken together are a 6-membered        substituted or unsubstituted cyclic or heterocyclic moiety;    -   xi) one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and the        other is phenyl, pyridyl, (alkyl)phenyl, or (alkyl)pyridyl,        optionally substituted with one or more occurrences of halogen,        trifluoromethoxy, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, methylthio, or        substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower heteroalkyl,        aryl or heteroaryl; and    -   xii) one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and the        other is a cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched aliphatic        moiety optionally substituted with one or more of substituted or        unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, amide, alkoxy, hydroxyl,        thioalkyl, thiol, acyl or amino;    -   xiii) R_(F) is an alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl,        cycloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl or        alkylheteroaryl, optionally independently substituted for each        occurrence with one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, or        substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or        heteroaryl; and/or    -   xiv) R_(F) is hydrogen, a protecting group, or an alkyl,        cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,        alkylaryl or alkylheteroaryl, optionally independently        substituted for each occurrence with one or more of halogen,        alkoxy, thioalkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,        heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl.

As the reader will appreciate, compounds of particular interest include,among others, those which share the attributes of one or more of theforegoing subclasses. Some of those subclasses are illustrated by thefollowing sorts of compounds:

I) Compounds of the Formula (and Pharmaceutically Acceptable DerivativesThereof):

-   -   wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined generically and in classes and        subclasses herein; G is CH₂ or C═O) and one of R_(G) or R_(F) is        hydrogen or lower allyl; and the other is an alkyl, heteroalkyl,        aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl or alkylheteroaryl moiety,        optionally independently substituted for each occurrence with        one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, or substituted or        unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, or        wherein R_(F) and R_(G) taken together are a 3 to 8-membered        substituted or unsubstituted cyclic or heterocyclic moiety.

In certain embodiments, one of R_(F) or R_(C), is hydrogen or loweralkyl; and the other is an aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl oralkylheteroaryl moiety, optionally independently substituted for eachoccurrence with one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, orsubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, orwherein R_(F) and R_(G) taken together are a 3 to 8-membered substitutedor unsubstituted cyclic or heterocyclic moiety.

In certain other embodiments, one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or loweralkyl; and the other is phenyl, pyridyl, (alkyl)phenyl, or(alkyl)pyridyl, optionally substituted with one or more occurrences ofhalogen, trifluoromethoxy, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, methylthio, orsubstituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower heteroalkyl, aryl orheteroaryl.

In still other embodiments, one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or loweralkyl; and the other is a cyclic or acyclic, linear or branchedaliphatic moiety optionally substituted with one or more of substitutedor unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, amide, alkoxy, hydroxyl, thioalkyl,thiol, acyl or amino.

II) Compounds of the Formula (and Pharmaceutically AcceptableDerivatives Thereof):

-   -   wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined generically and in classes and        subclasses herein; G is CH₂ or C—O) and X is O, S, C═O, S═O,        C—CR₄R₅, NR₄, or CR₄R₅; wherein each occurrence of R₄ and R₅ is        independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or is an acyl        moiety substituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or        heteroaryl moiety;    -   whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic        moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted,        cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, and wherein each of the        foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties may be independently        substituted or unsubstituted.

III) Compounds of the Formula (and Pharmaceutically AcceptableDerivatives Thereof):

-   -   wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined generically and in classes and        subclasses herein; G is CH₂ or C—C═O) and one of R_(G) or R_(F)        is hydrogen or lower all; and the other is an alkyl,        heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl or alkylheteroaryl,        optionally independently substituted for each occurrence with        one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, or substituted or        unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, or        wherein R_(F) and R_(G) taken together are a 3 to 8-membered        substituted or unsubstituted cyclic or heterocyclic moiety.

In certain embodiments, one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or loweralkyl; and the other is an aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl oralkylheteroaryl moiety, optionally independently substituted for eachoccurrence with one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, orsubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, orwherein R_(F) and R_(G) taken together are a 3 to 8-membered substitutedor unsubstituted cyclic or heterocyclic moiety.

In certain other embodiments, one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or loweralkyl; and the other is phenyl, pyridyl, (alkyl)phenyl, or(alkyl)pyridyl, optionally substituted with one or more occurrences ofhalogen, trifluoromethoxy, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, methylthio, orsubstituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower heteroalkyl, aryl orheteroaryl.

In still other embodiments, one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or loweralkyl; and the other is a cyclic or acyclic, linear or branchedaliphatic moiety optionally substituted with one or more of substitutedor unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, amide, alkoxy, hydroxyl, thioalkyl,thiol, acyl or amino.

IV) Compounds of the Formula (and Pharmaceutically AcceptableDerivatives Thereof):

-   -   wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined generically and in classes and        subclasses herein; G is CH₂ or C═O) and X is O, S, C═O, S═O,        C═CR₄R₅, NR₄, or CR₄R₅; wherein each occurrence of R₄ and R₅ is        independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or is an acyl        moiety substituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or        heteroaryl moiety;    -   whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic        moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted,        cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, and wherein each of the        foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties may be independently        substituted or unsubstituted.

V) Compounds of the Formula (and Pharmaceutically Acceptable DerivativesThereof):

-   -   wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined generically and in classes and        subclasses herein; G is CH₂ or —(C═O) and one of R_(G) or R_(F)        is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and the other is an alkyl,        heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl or alkylheteroaryl,        optionally independently substituted for each occurrence with        one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, or substituted or        unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, or        wherein R_(F) and R_(G) taken together are a 3 to 8-membered        substituted or unsubstituted cyclic or heterocyclic moiety.

In certain embodiments, one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or loweralkyl; and the other is an aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl oralkylheteroaryl moiety, optionally independently substituted for eachoccurrence with one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, orsubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, orwherein R_(F) and R_(G) taken together are a 3 to 8-membered substitutedor unsubstituted cyclic or heterocyclic moiety.

In certain other embodiments, one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or loweralkyl; and the other is phenyl, pyridyl, (alkyl)phenyl, or(alkyl)pyridyl, optionally substituted with one or more occurrences ofhalogen, trifluoromethoxy, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, methylthio, orsubstituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower heteroalkyl, aryl orheteroaryl.

In still other embodiments, one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or loweralkyl; and the other is a cyclic or acyclic, linear or branchedaliphatic moiety optionally substituted with one or more of substitutedor unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, amide, alkoxy, hydroxyl, thioalkyl,thiol, acyl or amino.

VI) Compounds of the Formula (and Pharmaceutically AcceptableDerivatives Thereof):

-   -   wherein R, and R₂ are as defined generically and in classes and        subclasses herein; G is CH₂ or C═O) and X is O, S, C═O, S═O,        C═CR₄R₅, NR₄, or CR₄R₅; wherein each occurrence of R₄ and R₅ is        independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano an aliphatic,        heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or is an acyl        moiety substituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or        heteroaryl moiety;    -   whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic        moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted,        cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, and wherein each of the        foregoing aryl or heteroaryl moieties may be        independently-substituted or unsubstituted.

VII) Compounds of the Formula (and Pharmaceutically AcceptableDerivatives Thereof):

wherein R_(F), R₁ and R₂ are as defined generically and in classes andsubclasses herein; p is an integer from 0-3; s is an integer from 04; A,B, D, E and each occurrence of K are independently absent, O, S, C═O,S═O, C═CR₄R₅, NR₄, or CR₄R₅, wherein each occurrence of R₄ and R₅ isindependently hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano, —OR_(x), —SR_(x),—NR_(x)R_(y), an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety,or is an acyl moiety substituted with an aliphatic heteroaliphatic, arylor heteroaryl moiety; and wherein A and B, B and D, D and E, E and K andany two adjacent K groups may be linked by a single or double bond asvalency permits; wherein each occurrence of R_(x) and R_(y) isindependently hydrogen, a protecting group, or an aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, aliphaticaryl, heteroaliphatic aryl,aliphaticheteroaryl or heteroaliphaticheteroaryl moiety,

-   -   whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic        moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted,        cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated        and wherein each of the foregoing aryl, heteroaryl        aliphaticaryl, heteroaliphatic aryl, aliphaticheteroaryl or        heteroaliphaticheteroaryl moieties may be independently        substituted or unsubstituted.

In certain exemplary embodiments,

represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, pyridyl or furanylmoiety. In certain other embodiments,

represents a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated 3-,4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-membered cycloalkyl or cycloheteroalkyl moiety. Incertain exemplary embodiments,

represents substituted or unsubstituted cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl. In certain exemplaryembodiments,

represents a substituted or unsubstituted bicyclic aliphatic moiety.

In certain exemplary embodiments, R_(F) is hydrogen or lower alkyl. Incertain embodiments, R_(F) is hydrogen or methyl.

It will also be appreciated that for each of the subgroups I-VIIdescribed above, a variety of other subclasses are of special interest,including, but not limited to those classes described above i)-xiv) andclasses, subclasses and species of compounds described above and in theexamples herein.

Some of the foregoing compounds can comprise one or more asymmetriccenters, and thus can exist in various isomeric forms, e.g.,stereoisomers and/or diastereomers. Thus, inventive compounds andpharmaceutical compositions thereof may be in the form of an individualenantiomer, diastereomer or geometric isomer, or may be in the form of amixture of stereoisomers. In certain embodiments, the compounds of theinvention are enantiopure compounds. In certain other embodiments, amixture of stereoisomers or diastereomers are provided.

Additionally, any and all tautomers of the foregoing compounds areencompassed by the invention. The invention is not limited to thetautomeric structures depicted herein. As but one example, compoundsdescribed and depicted generally as:

-   -   may also be described and depicted as:

Furthermore, certain compounds, as described herein may have one or moredouble bonds that can exist as either the Z or E isomer, unlessotherwise indicated. The invention additionally encompasses thecompounds as individual isomers substantially free of other isomers andalternatively, as mixtures of various isomers, e.g., racemic mixtures ofstereoisomers. In addition to the above-mentioned compounds per se, thisinvention also encompasses pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives ofthese compounds and compositions comprising one or more compounds of theinvention and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients oradditives.

Compounds of the invention may be prepared by crystallization ofcompound of formula (I) under different conditions and may exist as oneor a combination of polymorphs of compound of general formula (I)forming part of this invention. For example, different polymorphs may beidentified and/or prepared by using different solvents, or differentmixtures of solvents for recrystallization; by performingcrystallizations at different temperatures; or by using various modes ofcooling, ranging from very fast to very slow cooling duringcrystallizations. Polymorphs may also be obtained by heating or meltingthe compound followed by gradual or fast cooling. The presence ofpolymorphs may be determined by solid probe NMR spectroscopy, IRspectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-raydiffractogram and/or other techniques. Thus, the present inventionencompasses inventive compounds, their derivatives, their tautomericforms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates andpharmaceutically acceptable compositions containing them.

2) Compounds and Definitions

As discussed above, this invention provides novel compounds with a rangeof biological properties. Compounds of this invention have biologicalactivities relevant for the treatment of inflammatory or autoimmunedisorders and/or proliferative disorders. In certain embodiments, thecompounds of the invention are useful for the treatment of rheumatoidarthritis, ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease, central nervous systemdiseases (CNS) such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus,asthma, allograft rejection/graft versus host disease (GVHD), psoriasis,atopic dermatitis, eczema, uticaria, allergic rhinitis, myastheniagravis, diabetes, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura,glomerulonephritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Compounds of this invention include those specifically set forth aboveand described herein, and are illustrated in part by the variousclasses, subgenera and species disclosed elsewhere herein.

Additionally, the present invention provides pharmaceutically acceptablederivatives of the inventive compounds, and methods of treating asubject using these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, oreither of these in combination with one or more additional therapeuticagents. The phrase, “pharmaceutically acceptable derivative”, as usedherein, denotes any pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or salt ofsuch ester, of such compound, or any other adduct or derivative which,upon administration to a patient, is capable of providing (directly orindirectly) a compound as otherwise described herein, or a metabolite orresidue thereof. Pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thus includeamong others pro-drugs. A pro-drug is a derivative of a compound,usually with significantly reduced pharmacological activity, whichcontains an additional moiety which is susceptible to removal in vivoyielding the parent molecule as the pharmacologically active species. Anexample of a pro-drug is an ester which is cleaved in vivo to yield acompound of interest. Pro-drugs of a variety of compounds, and materialsand methods for derivatizing the parent compounds to create thepro-drugs, are known and may be adapted to the present invention.Certain exemplary pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivatives will be discussed in more detail herein below.

Certain compounds of the present invention, and definitions of specificfunctional groups are also described in more detail below. For purposesof this invention, the chemical elements are identified in accordancewith the Periodic Table of the Elements, CAS version, Handbook ofChemistry and Physics, 75^(th) Ed., inside cover, and specificfunctional groups are generally defined as described therein.Additionally, general principles of organic chemistry, as well asspecific functional moieties and reactivity, are described in “OrganicChemistry”, Thomas Sorrell, University Science Books, Sausalito: 1999,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.Furthermore, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the artthat the synthetic methods, as described herein, utilize a variety ofprotecting groups. By the term “protecting group”, has used herein, itis meant that a particular functional moiety, e.g. O, S, or N, istemporarily blocked so that a reaction can be carried out selectively atanother reactive site in a multifunctional compound. In preferredembodiments, a protecting group reacts selectively in good yield to givea protected substrate that is stable to the projected reactions; theprotecting group must be selectively removed in good yield by readilyavailable, preferably nontoxic reagents that do not attack the otherfunctional groups; the protecting group forms an easily separablederivative (more preferably without the generation of new stereogeniccenters); and the protecting group has a minimum of additionalfunctionality to avoid further sites of reaction. As detailed herein,oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and carbon protecting groups may be utilized.For example, in certain embodiments, as detailed herein, certainexemplary oxygen protecting groups are utilized. These oxygen protectinggroups include, but are not limited to methyl ethers, substituted methylethers (e.g., MOM (methoxymethyl ether), MTM (methylthiomethyl ether),BOM (benzyloxymethyl ether), PMBM (p-methoxybenzyloxymethyl ether), toname a few), substituted ethyl ethers, substituted benzyl ethers, silylethers (e.g., TMS (trimethylsilyl ether), TES (triethylsilylether), TIPS(triisopropylsilyl ether), TBDMS (t-butyldimethylsilyl ether), tribenzylsilyl ether, TBDPS (t-butyldiphenyl silyl ether), to name a few), esters(e.g. formate, acetate, benzoate (Bz), trifluoroacetate,dichloroacetate, to name a few), carbonates, cyclic acetals and ketals.In certain other exemplary embodiments, nitrogen protecting groups areutilized. These nitrogen protecting groups include, but are not limitedto, carbamates (including methyl, ethyl and substituted ethyl carbamates(e.g., Troc), to name a few) amides, cyclic imide derivatives, N-Alkyland N-Aryl amines, imine derivatives, and enamine derivatives, to name afew. Certain other exemplary protecting groups are detailed herein,however, it will be appreciated that the present invention is notintended to be limited to these protecting groups; rather, a variety ofadditional equivalent protecting groups can be readily identified usingthe above criteria and utilized in the present invention. Additionally,a variety of protecting groups are described in “Protective Groups inOrganic Synthesis” Third Ed. Greene, T. W. and Wuts, P. G., Eds., JohnWiley & Sons, New York: 1999, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

It will be appreciated that the compounds, as described herein, may besubstituted with any number of substituents or functional moieties. Ingeneral, the term “substituted” whether preceded by the term“optionally” or not, and substituents contained in formulas of thisinvention, refer to the replacement of hydrogen radicals in a givenstructure with the radical of a specified substituent. When more thanone position in any given structure may be substituted with more thanone substituent selected from a specified group, the substituent may beeither the same or different at every position. As used herein, the term“substituted” is contemplated to include all permissible substituents oforganic compounds. In a broad aspect, the permissible substituentsinclude acyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic andheterocyclic, aromatic and nonaromatic substituents of organiccompounds. For purposes of this: invention, heteroatoms such as nitrogenmay have hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents oforganic compounds described herein which satisfy the valencies of theheteroatoms. Furthermore, this invention is not intended to be limitedin any manner by the permissible substituents of organic compounds.Combinations of substituents and variables envisioned by this inventionare preferably those that result in the formation of stable compoundsuseful in the treatment, for example of inflammatory or autoimmune andproliferative disorders, including, but not limited to rheumatoidarthritis, psoriasis, asthma and cancer. The term “stable”, as usedherein, preferably refers to compounds which possess stabilitysufficient to allow manufacture and which maintain the integrity of thecompound for a sufficient period of time to be detected and preferablyfor a sufficient period of time to be useful for the purposes detailedherein.

The term “aliphatic”, as used herein, includes both saturated andunsaturated, straight chain (i.e., unbranched), branched, cyclic, orpolycyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are optionally substituted withone or more functional groups. As will be appreciated by one of ordinaryskill in the art, “aliphatic” is intended herein to include, but is notlimited to, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, andcycloalkynyl moieties. Thus, as used herein, the term “alkyl” includesstraight, branched and cyclic alkyl groups. An analogous conventionapplies to other generic terms such as “alkenyl”, “alkynyl” and thelike. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “alkyl”, “alkenyl”,“alkynyl” and the like encompass both substituted and unsubstitutedgroups. In certain embodiments, as used herein, “lower alkyl” is used toindicate those alkyl groups (cyclic, acyclic, substituted,unsubstituted, branched or unbranched) having 1-6 carbon atoms.

In certain embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups employedin the invention contain 1-20 aliphatic carbon atoms. In certain otherembodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in theinvention contain 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments,the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the alkyl,alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-6aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl,and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 14 carbon atoms.Illustrative aliphatic groups thus include, but are not limited to, forexample, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl,—CH₂-cyclopropyl, allyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl,cyclobutyl, —CH₂-cyclobutyl, n-pentyl, sec-pentyl, isopentyl,tert-pentyl, cyclopentyl, —CH₂-cyclopentyl-n, hexyl, sec-hexyl,cyclohexyl, —CH₂-cyclohexyl moieties and the like, which again, may bearone or more substituents. Alkenyl groups include, but are not limitedto, for example, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, 1-methyl-2-buten-1-yl, andthe like. Representative alkynyl groups include, but are not limited to,ethynyl, 2-propynyl (propargyl), 1-propynyl and the like.

The term “alkoxy” (or “alkyloxy”), or “thioalkyl” as used herein refersto an alkyl group, as previously defined, attached to the parentmolecular moiety through an oxygen atom or through a sulfur atom. Incertain embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-20 aliphatic carbonatoms. In certain other embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-10aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl,and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-8 aliphaticcarbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-6aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl groupcontains 14 aliphatic carbon atoms. Examples of alkoxy, include but arenot limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy,tert-butoxy, neopentoxy and n-hexoxy. Examples of thioalkyl include, butare not limited to, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio,n-butylthio, and the like.

The term “alkylamino” refers to a group having the structure NHR′wherein R′ is alkyl, as defined herein. The term “aminoalkyl” refers toa group having the structure NH₂R′—, wherein R′ is alkyl, as definedherein. In certain embodiments, the alkyl group contains 1-20 aliphaticcarbon atoms. In certain other embodiments, the alkyl group contains1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl,alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-8aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the alkyl groupcontains 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkylgroup contains 1-4 aliphatic carbon atoms. Examples of alkylaminoinclude, but are not limited to, methylamino, ethylamino,iso-propylamino and the like.

Some examples of sutstituents of the above-described aliphatic (andother) moieties of compounds of the invention include, but are notlimited to aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; alkylaryl;alkylheteroaryl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy;alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; F; Cl; Br; I; —OH;—NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂;—CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x);—OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x)wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is notlimited to, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, oralkylheteroaryl, wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic,alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl substituents described above and hereinmay be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic oracyclic, and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substituentsdescribed above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted.Additional examples of generally applicable substituents are illustratedby the specific embodiments shown in the Examples that are describedherein.

In general, the terms “aryl” and “heteroaryl”, as used herein, refer tostable mono- or polycyclic, heterocyclic, polycyclic, andpolyheterocyclic unsaturated moieties having preferably 3-14 carbonatoms, each of which may be substituted or unsubstituted. It will alsobe appreciated that aryl and heteroaryl moieties, as defined herein maybe attached via an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, alkyl or heteroalkylmoiety and thus also include -(aliphatic)aryl, -(heteroaliphatic)aryl,-(aliphatic)heteroaryl, -(heteroaliphatic)heteroaryl, alkyl)aryl,-(heteroalkyl)aryl, -(heteroalkyl)aryl, and -(heteroalkyl)heteroarylmoieties. Thus, as used herein, the phrases “aryl or heteroaryl” and“aryl, heteroaryl, -(aliphatic)aryl, -(heteroaliphatic)aryl,-(aliphatic)heteroaryl, -(heteroaliphatic)heteroaryl, -(alkyl)aryl,-(heteroalkyl)aryl, -(heteroalkyl)aryl, and heteroalkyl)heteroaryl” areinterchangeable. Substituents include, but are not limited to, any ofthe previously mentioned substitutents, i.e., the substituents recitedfor aliphatic moieties, or for other moieties as disclosed herein,resulting in the formation of a stable compound. In certain embodimentsof the present invention, “aryl” refers to a mono- or bicycliccarbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic rings including, butnot limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, indenyland the like. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the term“heteroaryl”, as used herein, refers to a cyclic aromatic radical havingfrom five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, Oand N; zero, one or two ring atoms are additional heteroatomsindependently selected from S, O and N; and the remaining ring atoms arecarbon, the radical being joined to the rest of the molecule via any ofthe ring atoms, such as, for example, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl,pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isooxazolyl,thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, quinolinyl,isoquinolinyl, and the like.

It will be appreciated that aryl and heteroaryl groups (includingbycyclic aryl groups) can be unsubstituted or substituted, whereinsubstitution includes replacement of one, two or three of the hydrogenatoms thereon independently with any one or more of the followingmoieties including, but not limited to: aliphatic; heteroaliphatic;aryl; heteroaryl; alkylaryl; alkylheteroaryl; alkoxy; aryloxy;heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio;heteroarylthio; F; Cl; Br; I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂;—CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x));—CON(R)₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂;—S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x) wherein each occurrence of R_(x)independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl,wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, alkylaryl, oralkylheteroaryl substituents described above and herein may besubstituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic,and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substituents described aboveand herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples ofgenerally applicable substituents are illustrated by the specificembodiments shown in the Examples that are described herein.

The term “cycloalkyl”, as used herein, refers specifically to groupshaving three to seven, preferably three to ten carbon atoms. Suitablecycloalkyls include, but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and the like, which, as in the caseof other aliphatic, heteroaliphatic or hetercyclic moieties, mayoptionally be substituted with substituents including, but not limitedto aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; alkylaryl;alkylheteroaryl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy;alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; F; Cl; Br, I; —OH;—NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂;—CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x);—OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x)wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is notlimited to, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, oralkylheteroaryl, wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic,alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl substituents described above and hereinmay be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic oracyclic, and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substituentsdescribed above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted.Additional examples of generally applicable substituents are illustratedby the specific embodiments shown in the Examples that are describedherein.

The term “heteroaliphatic”, as used herein, refers to aliphatic moietieswhich contain one or more oxygen sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus or siliconatoms, e.g., in place of carbon atoms. Heteroaliphatic moieties may bebranched, unbranched, cyclic or acyclic and include saturated andunsaturated heterocycles such as morpholino, pyrrolidinyl, etc. Incertain embodiments, heteroaliphatic moieties are substituted byindependent replacement of one or more of the hydrogen atoms thereonwith one or more moieties including, but not limited to aliphatic;heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; alkylaryl; alkylheteroaryl; alkoxy;aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio;heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; F; Cl; Br; I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃;—CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x);—CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂;—N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x) wherein each occurrence ofR_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl,wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, alkylaryl, oralkylheteroaryl substituents described above and herein may besubstituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic,and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substituents described aboveand herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples ofgenerally applicable substituents are illustrated by the specificembodiments shown in the Examples that are described herein.

The terms “halo” and “halogen” as used herein refer to an atom selectedfrom fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

The term “haloalkyl” denotes an alkyl group, as defined above, havingone, two, or three halogen atoms attached thereto and is exemplified bysuch groups as chloromethyl, bromoethyl, trifluoromethyl, and the like.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” or “heterocycle”, as used herein, refers toa non-aromatic 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring or a polycyclic group,including, but not limited to a bi- or tri-cyclic group comprising fusedsix-membered rings having between one and three heteroatomsindependently selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, wherein (i)each 5-membered ring has 0 to 1 double bonds and each 6-membered ringhas 0 to 2 double bonds, (ii) the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may beoptionally be oxidized, (iii) the nitrogen heteroatom may optionally bequaternized, and (iv) any of the above heterocyclic rings may be fusedto a benzene ring. Representative heterocycles include, but are notlimited to, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl,imidazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl,morpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, and tetrahydrofuryl. Incertain embodiments, a “substituted heterocycloalkyl or heterocycle”group is utilized and as used herein, refers to a heterocycloalkyl orheterocycle group, as defined above, substituted by the independentreplacement of one, two or three of the hydrogen atoms thereon with butare not limited to aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl;alkylaryl; alkylheteroaryl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy;heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; F;Cl; Br; I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH;—CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x);—OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x)wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is notlimited to, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl, oralkylheteroaryl, wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic,alkylaryl, or alkylheteroaryl substituents described above and hereinmay be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic oracyclic, and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substitutentsdescribed above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted.Additional examples or generally applicable substituents are illustratedby the specific embodiments shown in the Examples which are describedherein.

3) Research Uses, Formulation and Administration

According to the present invention, the inventive compounds may beassayed in any of the available assays known in the art for identifyingcompounds having a pre-determined biological activity. For example, theassay may be cellular or non-cellular, in vivo or ill vitro, high- orlow-throughput format, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, theinventive compounds are tested in assays to identify those compoundshaving antiproliferative/anticancer activity, inflammatory cytokinesignaling pathway inhibitory activity, adhesion molecule expressioninhibitory activity and/or anti-inflammatory effect.

Thus, in one aspect, compounds of this invention which are of particularinterest include those which:

-   -   exhibit activity generally as inhibitors of adhesion molecule        expression on the endothelial cell surface upon stimulation with        inflammatory cytokines;    -   exhibit activity as inhibitors of inflammatory cytokine        signaling pathway;    -   exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect on suitable cell lines        maintained in vitro, or in animal studies using a scientifically        acceptable model; exhibit an antiproliferative and/or anticancer        effect on suitable cell lines maintained in vitro, or in animal        studies using a scientifically acceptable model; and    -   exhibit a favorable therapeutic profile (e.g., safety, efficacy,        and stability).

As discussed above, certain compounds as described herein exhibitactivity generally as inhibitors cell adhesion molecules on endothelialcells (E-selectin and ICAM) and transcriptional activation induced byinflammatory cytokine signaling. More specifically, compounds of theinvention demonstrate immunomodulatory activity and thus the inventionfurther provides a method for treating an inflammatory or autoimmunedisorder or a proliferative disorder. The method involves theadministration of a therapeutically effective amount of the compound ora pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof to a subject(including, but not limited to a human or animal) in need of it. Incertain embodiments, the inventive compounds as useful for the treatmentof rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease, centralnervous system diseases (CNS) such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupuserythematosus, asthma, allograft rejection/graft versus host disease(GVHD), psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, uticaria, allergicrhinitis, myasthenia gravis, diabetes, idiopathic thrombocytopeniapurpura, glomerulonephritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

In certain embodiments, the method involves administration of atherapeutically effective amount of the compound or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof to a subject (including, but not limitedto a human or animal) in need of it. In certain embodiments, apharmaceutical composition comprising an inventive compound (orpharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof), a carrier or diluentand optionally an additional therapeutic agent is provided.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

As discussed above this invention provides novel compounds that havebiological properties useful for the treatment of inflammatory andproliferative disorders, including, but not limited to rheumatoidarthritis, ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease, central nervous systemdiseases (CNS) such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus,asthma, allograft rejection/graft versus host disease (GVHD), psoriasis,atopic dermatitis, eczema, uticaria, allergic rhinitis, myastheniagravis, diabetes, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura,glomerulonephritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Accordingly, in another aspect of the present invention, pharmaceuticalcompositions are provided, which comprise any one of the compoundsdescribed herein (or a prodrug, pharmaceutically acceptable salt orother pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof), and optionallycomprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In certain embodiments,these compositions optionally further comprise one or more additionaltherapeutic agents. Alternatively, a compound of this invention may beadministered to a patient in need thereof in combination with theadministration of one or more other therapeutic agents. For example,additional therapeutic agents for conjoint administration or inclusionin a pharmaceutical composition with a compound of this invention may bean anti-inflammatory agent (e.g., an agent for the treatment ofrheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis) or cytotoxic agent or anticanceragent approved for the treatment of cancer, as discussed in more detailherein, or it may be any one of a number of agents undergoing approvalin the Food and Drug Administration that ultimately obtain approval forthe treatment of an immune disorder or cancer. It will also beappreciated that certain of the compounds of present invention can existin free form for treatment, or where appropriate, as a pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivative thereof. According to the present invention, apharmaceutically acceptable derivative includes, but is not limited to,pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, salts of such esters, or aprodrug or other adduct or derivative of a compound of this inventionwhich upon administration to a patient in need is capable of providing,directly or indirectly, a compound as otherwise described herein, or ametabolite or residue thereof.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers tothose salts which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment,suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animalswithout undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response and the like, andare commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts of amines, carboxylic acids, and other types ofcompounds, are well known in the art. For example, S. M. Berge, et al.describe pharmaceutically acceptable salts in detail in J.Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977), incorporated herein byreference. The salts can be prepared ill situ during the final isolationand purification of the compounds of the invention, or separately byreacting a free base or free acid function with a suitable reagent, asdescribed generally below. For example, a free base function can bereacted with a suitable acid. Furthermore, where the compounds of theinvention carry an acidic moiety, suitable pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof may, include metal salts such as alkali metal salts, e.g.sodium or potassium salts; and alkaline earth metal salts, e.g. calciumor magnesium salts. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxicacid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganicacids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid,sulfuric acid and perchloric acid, or with organic acids such as aceticacid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinicacid or malonic acid or by using other methods used in the art such asion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate,alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate,borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate,cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate,formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate,hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide,2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, laurylsulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate,2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate,pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate,pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate,thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and thelike. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts includesodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Furtherpharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxicammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed usingcounterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate,nitrate, loweralkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

Additionally, as used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptableester” refers to esters that hydrolyze in vivo and include those thatbreak down readily in the human body to leave the parent compound or asalt thereof. Suitable ester groups include, for example, those derivedfrom pharmaceutically acceptable aliphatic carboxylic acids,particularly alkanoic, alkenoic, cycloalkanoic and alkanedioic acids, inwhich each alkyl or alkenyl moiety advantageously has not more than 6carbon atoms. Examples of particular esters include formates, acetates,propionates, butyrates, acrylates and ethylsuccinates.

Furthermore, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs” as usedherein refers to those prodrugs of the compounds of the presentinvention which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment,suitable for use in contact with the issues of humans and lower animalswith undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, and the like,commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, and effective fortheir intended use, as well as the zwitterionic forms, where possible,of the compounds of the invention. The term “prodrug” refers tocompounds that are rapidly transformed in vivo to yield the parentcompound of the above formula, for example by hydrolysis in blood. Athorough discussion is provided in T. Higuchi and V. Stella, Pro-drugsas Novel Delivery Systems, Vol. 14 of the A.C.S. Symposium Series, andin Edward B. Roche, ed., Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, AmericanPharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, 1987, both of which areincorporated herein by reference.

As described above, the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention additionally comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,which, as used herein, includes any and all solvents, diluents, or otherliquid vehicle, dispersion or suspension aids, surface active agents,isotonic agents, thickening or emulsifying agents, preservatives, solidbinders, lubricants and the like, as suited to the particular dosageform desired. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sixteenth Edition, E.W. Martin (Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1980) discloses variouscarriers used in formulating pharmaceutical compositions and knowntechniques for the preparation thereof. Except insofar as anyconventional carrier medium is incompatible with the compounds of theinvention, such as by producing any undesirable biological effect orotherwise interacting in a deleterious manner with any othercomponent(s) of the pharmaceutical composition, its use is contemplatedto be within the scope of this invention. Some examples of materialswhich can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but arenot limited to, sugars such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starchessuch as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivativessuch as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and celluloseacetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatine; talc; excipients such ascocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils such as peanut oil, cottonseedoil; safflower oil, sesame oil; olive oil; corn oil and soybean oil;glycols; such as propylene glycol; esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyllaurate; agar; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminumhydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogenfree water, isotonic saline; Ringer'ssolution; ethyl alcohol, and phosphate buffer solutions, as well asother non-toxic compatible lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfate andmagnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents,coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents,preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition,according to the judgment of the formulator.

Uses and Formulations of Compounds of the Invention

As described in more detail herein, in general, the present inventionprovides compounds useful for the treatment of inflammatory orautoimmune disorders and the treatment of proliferative disorders.Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, more generally,the compounds of the invention have been shown to inhibit adhesionmolecule expression such as E-selectin and ICAM-1 on the endothelialcell surface induced by stimulation with inflammatory cytokines. Suchcell surface molecules play a critical role for inflammatory cellinfiltration and cell-cell interactions within inflammatory and immuneresponses. The compounds also reduce activation of the transcriptionalfactor NF-κB and inhibit the transcriptional activation in inflammatorycytokine signaling pathways, which regulates many genes such as IL-1αand TNF α involved in the pathology of several inflamatory diseases.More generally, the identification of NF-κB as a key player in thepathogenesis of inflammation suggest that NF-κB targeted therapeuticsmay be effective in inflammatory and immune disorders (Lee, generally,NF-κB in Defense and Disease, J. Clin. Investig. 2001, 107, 7).

As detailed in the exemplification herein in assays to determine theability of compounds to inhibit cytokine-induced adhesion moleculeexpression by endothelial cells, certain inventive compounds, (generallywhere one occurrence of R₃ is hydrogen, and the other occurrence of R₃is a moiety as described generally herein) exhibited IC₅₀ values(E-Selectin and ICAM-1) less than 1 μM. In other embodiments, exemplarycompounds exhibited IC₅₀ values less than 10 μM.

As discussed above, compounds of the invention exhibit immunomodulatoryactivity and exhibit activity for the inhibition of tumor cell growth.As such, compounds of the invention are particularly useful for thetreatment of diseases and disorders including, but not limited to,rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease, centralnervous system diseases (CNS) such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupuserythematosus, asthma, allograft rejection/graft versus host disease(GVHD), psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, uticaria, allergicrhinitis, myasthenia gravis, diabetes, idiopathic thrombocytopeniapurpura, glomerulonephritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Thus, as described above, in another aspect of the invention, methodsfor the treatment of inflammatory or autoimmune and proliferativedisorders are provided comprising administering a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound of formula (I), as described herein, to asubject in need thereof. In certain embodiments, the inventive compoundsare useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerativecolitis/Crohn's disease, central nervous system diseases (CNS) such asmultiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, asthma, allograftrejection/graft versus host disease (GVHD), psoriasis, atopicdermatitis, eczema, uticaria, allergic rhinitis, myasthenia gravis,diabetes, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, glomerulonephritis,cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

It will be appreciated that the compounds and compositions, according tothe method of the present invention, may be administered using anyamount and any route of administration effective for the treatment ofinflammatory or autoimmune and proliferative disorders. Thus, theexpression “effective amount as used herein, refers to a sufficientamount of agent to kill or inhibit the growth of tumor cells, or refersto a sufficient amount to reduce the effects of an inflammatory orautoimmune response or disorder. The exact amount required will varyfrom subject to subject, depending on the species, age, and generalcondition of the subject, the severity of the infection, the particulartherapeutic agent, its mode of administration, and the like.

The compounds of the invention are preferably formulated in dosage unitform for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. The expression“dosage unit form” as used herein refers to a physically discrete unitof therapeutic agent appropriate for the patient to be treated. It willbe understood, however, that tie total daily usage of the compounds andcompositions of the present invention will be decided by the attendingphysician within the scope of sound medical judgment. The specifictherapeutically effective dose level for any particular patient ororganism will depend upon a variety of factors including the disorderbeing treated and the severity of the disorder; the activity of thespecific compound employed; the specific composition employed; the age,body weight, general health, sex and diet of the patient; the time ofadministration, route of administration, and rate of excretion of thespecific compound employed; the duration of the treatment; drugs used incombination or coincidental with the specific compound employed; andlike factors well known in the medical arts (see, for example, Goodmanand Gilman's, “The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics”, TenthEdition, A. Gilman, J. Hardman and L. Limbird, eds., McGraw-Hill Press,155-173, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety).

Furthermore, after formulation with an appropriate pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier in a desired dosage, the pharmaceutical compositionsof this invention can be administered to humans and other animalsorally, rectally, parenterally, intracistemally, intravaginally,intraperitoneally, topically (as by powders, ointments, or drops),bucally, as an oral or nasal spray, or the like, depending on theseverity of the infection being treated. In certain embodiments, thecompounds of the invention may be administered at dosage levels of about0.001 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg, from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg,or from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg of subject body weight perday, one or more times a day, to obtain the desired therapeutic effect.It will also be appreciated that dosages smaller than 0.001 mg/kg orgreater than 50 mg/kg (for example 50-100 mg/kg) can be administered toa subject. In certain embodiments, compounds are administered orally orparenterally.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include, but are not limitedto, pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions,suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In addition to the active compounds,the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in theart such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agentsand emulsifiers such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylcarbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propyleneglycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylformamide, oils (in particular,cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils),glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fattyacid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents,the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents,emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfumingagents.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous oroleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known artusing suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. Thesterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectablesolution, suspension or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptablediluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Amongthe acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water,Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. Inaddition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solventor suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can beemployed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fattyacids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables.

The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example, byfiltration through a bacterial-retaining filter, or by incorporatingsterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which canbe dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectablemedium prior to use.

In order to prolong the effect of a drug, it is often desirable to slowthe absorption of the drug from subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.This may be accomplished by the use of a liquid suspension orcrystalline or amorphous material with poor water solubility. The rateof absorption of the drug then depends upon its rate of dissolutionthat, in turn, may depend upon crystal size and crystalline form.Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterally administered drugform is accomplished by dissolving or suspending the drug in an oilvehicle. Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsulematrices of the drug in biodegradable polymers such aspolylactide-polyglycolide. Depending upon the ratio of drug to polymerand the nature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of drugrelease can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymersinclude (poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectableformulations are also prepared by entrapping the drug in liposomes ormicroemulsions which are compatible with body tissues.

Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferablysuppositories which can be prepared by mixing the compounds of thisinvention with suitable non-irritating excipients or carriers such ascocoa butter, polyethylene glycol or a suppository wax which are solidat ambient temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore meltin the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active compound.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets,pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the activecompound is mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptableexcipient or carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphateand/or a) fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose,glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example,carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone,sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegratingagents such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch,alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solutionretarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such asquaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example,cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolinand bentonite clay, and i) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate,magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate,and mixtures thereof. In the case of capsules, tablets and pills, thedosage form may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers insoft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactoseor milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols andthe like. The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills,and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as entericcoatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulatingart. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of acomposition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, orpreferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally,in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be usedinclude polymeric substances and waxes. Solid compositions of a similartype may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatincapsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as highmolecular weight polethylene glycols and the like.

The active compounds can also be in micro-encapsulated form with one ormore excipients as noted above. The solid dosage forms of tablets,dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings andshells such as enteric coatings, release controlling coatings and othercoatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. In such soliddosage forms the active compound may be admixed with at least one inertdiluent such as sucrose, lactose and starch. Such dosage forms may alsocomprise, as in normal practice, additional substances other than inertdiluents, e.g., tableting lubricants and other tableting aids such asmagnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose. In the case ofcapsules, tablets and pills, the dosage forms may also comprisebuffering agents. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and canalso be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s)only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract,optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositionswhich can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of a compound ofthis invention include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels,powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants or patches. The active componentis admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required.Ophthalmic formulation, ear drops, and eye drops are also contemplatedas being within the scope of this invention. Additionally, the presentinvention contemplates the use of transdermal patches, which have theadded advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound to thebody. Such dosage forms are made by dissolving or dispensing thecompound in the proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used toincrease the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate can becontrolled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or bydispersing the compound in a polymer matrix or gel.

It will also be appreciated that the compounds and pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present invention can be formulated and employed incombination therapies, that is, the compounds and pharmaceuticalcompositions can be formulated with or administered concurrently with,prior to, or subsequent to, one or more other desired therapeutics ormedical procedures. The particular combination of therapies(therapeutics or procedures) to employ in a combination regimen willtake into account compatibility of the desired therapeutics and/orprocedures and the desired therapeutic effect to be achieved. It willalso be appreciated that the therapies employed may achieve a desiredeffect for the same disorder (for example, an inventive compound may beadministered concurrently with another anti-inflammatory agent oranticancer agent), or they may achieve different effects (e.g., controlof any adverse effects).

For example, other therapies or anticancer agents that may be used incombination with the inventive compounds of the present inventioninclude surgery, radiotherapy (in but a few examples, γ-radiation,neutron beam radiotherapy, electron beam radiotherapy, proton therapy,brachytherapy, and systemic radioactive isotopes, to name a few),endocrine therapy, biologic response modifiers (interferons,interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to name a few),hyperthermia and cryotherapy, agents to attenuate any adverse effects(e.g., antiemetics), and other approved chemotherapeutic drugs,including, but not limited to, alkylating drugs (mechlorethamine,chlorambucil, Cyclophosphamide, Melphalan, Ifosfamide), antimetabolites(Methotrexate), purine antagonists and pyrimidine antagonists(6-Mercaptopurine, 5-Fluorouracil, Cytarabile, Gemcitabine), spindlepoisons (Vinblastine, Vincristine, Vinorelbine, Paclitaxel),podophyllotoxins (Etoposide, Irinotecan, Topotecan), antibiotics(Doxorubicin, Bleomycin, Mitomycin), nitrosoureas (Carmustine,Lomustine), inorganic ions (Cisplatin, Carboplatin), enzymes(Asparaginase), and hormones (Tamoxifen, Leuprolide, Flutamide, andMegestrol), to name a few. For a more comprehensive discussion ofupdated cancer therapies see, http://www.nci.nih.gov/, a list of the FDAapproved oncology drugs athttp://www.fda.gov/cder/cancer/druglistframe.htm, and The Merck Manual,Seventeenth Ed. 1999, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention further comprise one or more additional therapeutically activeingredients (e.g., chemotherapeutic and/or palliative). For purposes ofthe invention, the term “Palliative” refers to treatment that is focusedon the relief of symptoms of a disease and/or side effects of atherapeutic regimen, but is not curative. For example, palliativetreatment encompasses painkillers, antinausea medications andanti-sickness drugs. In addition, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgerycan all be used palliatively (that is, to reduce symptoms without goingfor cure; e.g. for shrinking tumors and reducing pressure, bleeding,pain and other symptoms of cancer).

Treatment Kits

In other embodiments, the present invention relates to a kit forconveniently and effectively carrying out the methods in accordance withthe present invention. In general, the pharmaceutical pack or kitcomprises one or more containers filled with one or more of theingredients of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. Suchkits are especially suited for the delivery of solid oral forms such astablets or capsules. Such a kit preferably includes a number of unitdosages, and may also include a card having the dosages oriented in theorder of their intended use. If desired, a memory aid can be provided,for example in the form of numbers, letters, or other markings or with acalendar insert, designating the days in the treatment schedule in whichthe dosages can be administered. Alternatively, placebo dosages, orcalcium dietary supplements, either in a form similar to or distinctfrom the dosages of the pharmaceutical compositions, can be included toprovide a kit in which a dosage is taken every day. Optionallyassociated with such container(s) can be a notice in the form prescribedby a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale ofpharmaceutical products, which notice reflects approval by the agency ofmanufacture, use or sale for human administration.

Equivalents

The representative examples that follow are intended to help illustratethe invention, and are not intended to, nor should they be construed to,limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of theinvention and many further embodiments thereof, in addition to thoseshown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in theart from the full contents of this document, including the exampleswhich follow and the references to the scientific and patent literaturecited herein. It should further be appreciated that the contents ofthose cited references are incorporated herein by reference to helpillustrate the state of the art.

The following examples contain important additional information,exemplification and guidance that can be adapted to the practice of thisinvention in its various embodiments and the equivalents thereof.

Exemplification

The compounds of this invention and their preparation can be understoodfurther by the examples that illustrate some of the processes by whichthese compounds are prepared or used. It will be appreciated, however,that these examples do not limit the invention. Variations of theinvention, now known or further developed, are considered to fall withinthe scope of the present invention as described herein and ashereinafter claimed.

According to the present invention, any available techniques can be usedto make or prepare the inventive compounds or compositions includingthem. For example, a variety of solution phase synthetic methods such asthose discussed in detail below may be used. Alternatively oradditionally, the inventive compounds may be prepared using any of avariety combinatorial techniques, parallel synthesis and/or solid phasesynthetic methods known in the art.

It will be appreciated as described below, that a variety of inventivecompounds can be synthesized according to the methods described herein.The starting materials and reagents used in preparing these compoundsare either available from commercial suppliers such as Aldrich ChemicalCompany (Milwaukee, Wis.), Bachem (Torrance, Calif.), Sigma (St. Louis,Mo.), or are prepared by methods well known to a person of ordinaryskill in the art following procedures described in such references asFieser and Fieser 1991, “Reagents for Organic Synthesis”, vols 1-17,John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1991; Rodd 1989 “Chemistry ofCarbon Compounds”, vols. 1-5 and supps, Elsevier Science Publishers,1989; “Organic Reactions”, vols 140, John Wiley and Sons, New York,N.Y., 1991; March 2001, “Advanced Organic Chemistry”, 5th ed. John Wileyand Sons, New York, N.Y.; and Larock 1989, “Comprehensive OrganicTransformations”, VCH Publishers. These schemes are merely illustrativeof some methods by which the compounds of this invention can besynthesized, and various modifications to these schemes can be made andwill be suggested to a person of ordinary skill in the art having regardto this disclosure.

The starting materials, intermediates, and compounds of this inventionmay be isolated and purified using conventional techniques, includingfiltration, distillation, crystallization, chromatography, and the like.They may be characterized using conventional methods, including physicalconstants and spectral data.

1) Exemplary Compounds

Certain exemplary compounds of the invention are listed below and arereferred to by compound number as indicated. ER-# Structure 1 805600(IC375)

2 805894 (IC400)

3 806006

4 805985 (IC403)

5 805984

6 806002

7 805969

8 805971

9 805996

10 805639 (IC397)

11 805895 (IC405)

12 806007

13 805976

14 805975

15 805999

16 806011

17 805970

18 805972

19 805997

20 806010

21 806014

22 806094

23 806095

24 806097

25 806107

26 806123

27 806136

28 806181

29 806221

30 806220

31 806224

32 806228

33 806276

34 806275

35 806274

36 806273

37 806286

38 806287

39 806311

40 806317

41 806320

42 806329

43 806333

45 806336

46 806355

47 806358

48 806359

49 806363

50 806362

51 806361

52 806368

53 806372

54 806373

55 806374

56 806375

57 806383

58 806393

59 806401

60 806402

61 806404

62 806417

63 806419

64 806420

65 806421

66 806432

67 806435

68 806437

69 806569

70 806609

71 806610

72 806644

73 806645

74 806646

75 806647

76 806653

77 806671

78 806781

79 806790

80 806796

81 806820

82 806839

83 806840

84 806841

85 806842

86 806843

87 806844

88 806860

89 806874

90 806875

91 806878

92 806899

93 806900

94 806901

95 806902

96 806903

97 806904

98 806905

99 806987

100 807014

101 807015

102 807139

103 807140

104 807183

105 807240

106 807313

107 807377

108 807392

109 807400

110 807401

111 807399

112 807447

113 807448

114 807449

115 807450

116 807451

117 807452

118 807453

119 807454

120 807457

121 807458

122 807459

123 807460

124 807462

125 807463

126 807464

127 807465

128 807466

129 807467

130 807469

131 807496

132 807497

133 807498

134 807505

135 807506

136 807528

137 807531

138 807532

139 807543

140 807544

141 807546

142 807548

143 807549

144 807550

145 807562

146 807571

147 807573

148 807584

149 807585

150 807586

151 807587

152 807636

153 807649

154 807660

155 807662

156 807663

157 807703

158 807704

159 807748

160 807749

161 807750

162 807751

163 807754

164 807758

165 807759

166 807762

167 807779

168 807787

169 807788

170 807789

171 807790

172 807794

173 807835

174 807836

175 807837

176 807862

177 807865

178 807876

179 807892

180 807920

181 807930

182 807931

183 807952

184 807956

185 807962

186 807976

187 807977

188 807978

189 807980

190 808009

191 808028

192 808036

193 808039

194 808040

195 808041

196 808069

197 808078

198 808079

199 808080

200 808081

201 808082

202 808083

203 808084

204 808085

205 808086

206 808101

207 808102

208 808103

209 808107

210 808128

211 808151

212 808152

213 808153

214 808160

215 808164

216 808247

217 808254

218 808255

219 808256

220 808257

221 808259

222 808260

223 808261

224 808262

225 808266

226 808268

227 808269

228 808281

229 808283

230 808284

231 808285

232 808286

233 808287

234 808288

235 808289

236 808290

237 808291

238 808310

239 808311

240 808312

241 808313

242 808319

243 808322

244 808346

245 808347

246 808355

247 808356

248 808361

249 808362

250 808363

251 808364

252 808365

253 808370

254 808371

255 808372

256 808385

257 808386

258 808387

259 808388

260 808469

261 808470

262 808473

263 808496

264 808497

265 808498

266 808499

267 808500

268 808501

269 808513

270 808514

271 808541

272 808542

273 808543

274 808544

275 808548

276 808571

277 808576

278 808600

278 808617

279 808620

280 808622

281 808623

282 808624

283 808627

284 808628

285 808629

286 808631

287 808635

288 808636

289 808637

290 808658

291 808660

292 808661

293 808663

294 808665

295 808672

296 808673

297 808675

298 808691

299 808692

300 808702

301 808703

302 808704

303 808705

304 808711

305 808712

306 808713

307 808714

308 808717

309 808719

310 808720

311 808833

312 808834

313 808835

314 808836

315 808849

316 808983

317 808984

318 809047

319 809187

320 809189

321 809190

322 809191

323 809192

324 809193

325 809196

326 809197

327 809198

328 809199

329 809200

330 809201

331 809202

332 809203

333 809204

334 809205

335 809206

336 809207

337 809208

338 809209

339 809210

340 809211

341 809212

342 809213

343 809214

344 809215

345 809216

346 809217

347 809218

348 809219

349 809220

350 809221

351 809222

352 809223

353 809224

354 809225

355 809226

356 809227

357 809228

358 809229

359 809230

360 809231

361 809232

362 809233

363 809234

364 809235

365 809236

366 809237

367 809238

368 809251

369 809252

370 IC261

371 IC375

372 IC380

373 IC395

374 IC396

375 IC400

376 IC401

377 IC402

378 IC403

379 IC404

380 IC415

381 IC416

2) Experimental Procedures:

As described above, the present invention provides novel deazapurineshaving formula (I) as described above and in certain classes andsubclasses herein. The synthesis of several exemplary compounds isdescribed in detail below. It will be appreciated that the methods asdescribed herein can be applied to each of the compound as disclosedherein and equivalents thereof. Additionally, certain reagents andstarting materials are well known to those skilled in the art. Althoughthe following examples describe certain exemplary compounds, it will beappreciated that the use of alternate starting materials will readilyyield other analogues encompassed by the invention.

General Reaction Procedures:

Unless mentioned specifically, reaction mixtures were stirred using amagnetically driven stirrer bar. An inert atmosphere refers to eitherdry argon or dry nitrogen. Reactions were monitored either by thin layerchromatography, or by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, of a suitablyworked up sample of the reaction mixture.

General Work Up Procedures:

Unless mentioned specifically, reaction mixtures were cooled to roomtemperature or below then quenched, when necessary, with either water ora saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride or sodium bicarbonate.Desired products were extracted by partitioning between water and asuitable water-immiscible solvent (e.g. ethyl acetate, dichloromethane,diethyl ether). The desired product containing extracts were washedappropriately with water followed by a saturated solution of brine. Onoccasions where the product containing extract was deemed to containresidual oxidants, the extract was washed with a 10% solution of sodiumsulphite in saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, prior to theaforementioned washing procedure. On occasions where the productcontaining extract was deemed to contain residual acids, the extract waswashed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, prior to theaforementioned washing procedure (except in those cases where thedesired product itself had acidic character). On occasions where theproduct containing extract was deemed to contain residual bases, theextract was washed with 10% aqueous citric acid solution, prior to theaforementioned washing procedure (except in those cases where thedesired product itself had basic character). Post washing, the desiredproduct containing extracts were dried over anhydrous sodium ormagnesium sulphate, then filtered. The crude products were then isolatedby removal of solvent(s) by rotary evaporation under reduced pressure,at an appropriate temperature (generally less than 45° C.).

General Purification Procedures:

Unless mentioned specifically, chromatographic purification refers toflash column chromatography on silica gel, using a single solvent ormixed solvent as eluent. Suitably purified desired product containingelutes were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure at anappropriate temperature (generally less than 45° C.) to constant mass.

Experimentals for Certain Exemplary Compounds:

In certain embodiments, compounds 1 and 2 were prepared according to theprocedure of Temple, C.; Smithy, B. H.; Montgomery, J. A.; J Org Chem.1973, 38, 613-5.

Dry HCl (gas) was bubbled through a 2 M solution of nitrile R₂—CN) inethyl ether containing 1 mole equivalent of ethanol at −10° C. for 1-2hours. After stirring from additional an hour to overnight at roomtemperature, nitrogen was bubbled through to purge excess HCl gas andether. The remaining slurry or suspension was filtered, washed withether three times and then dried under vacuum to give the correspondingethyl imidate hydrogen chloride.

A mixture of 1 (1 mmol) and the ethyl imidate hydrogen chloride (1.1mmol) in 5 mL of ethanol was heated at 65-70° C. until reaction wascompleted (1.5 h to overnight). The mixture was cooled to roomtemperature, diluted with 20 mL of water, stirred for 30 min., filteredand washed with water. The cake was collected and dried under vacuum togive the desired product 3.

A solution of 3 (1 mmol) in 2.8 mL of 57% HI (aq., 20 mmol) was heatedat reflux until reaction was completed (12-20 h). The mixture was cooledto 0° C., slowly diluted with 5 N NaOH solution (19 mmol) and then with1 mL of sat. NaHCO₃ to pH-9. The resulting mixture was extracted witheither ethyl acetate or ethyl acetate/THF mixture until extraction wascompleted. The combined extracts was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered andconcentrated to give the desired product 4 as free form. Washing theproduct with ethyl acetate resulted in a better purity if necessary incertain cases. The HI mono-salt form of 4 was obtained after cooling thereaction mixture to room temperature, filtration, washing with water anddrying the collected yellow solid in high vacuumn.

A mixture of 1 (300 mg, 1.3 mmol) and tetraethyl orthocarbonate (2.6mmol) in 10 mL of acetic acid was stirred at room temperature overnightand reaction was completed. The reaction mixture was concentrated underreduced vacuum and the residue was diluted with sat NaHCO₃, extractedwith EtOAc, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated to give a brownishsolid. This solid was dissolved in 24 mL of H₂O-MeOH (1:1) solutioncontaining 1.2 g of KOH and heated at reflux for 2.5 h. After cooling toroom temperature, the mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The extracts waswashed with water, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and theproduct was purified by chromatography (10% MeOH-EtOAc) to give 5 (45mg, 16%).

A solution of 1 (203 mg, 0.88 mmol) in trifluoroacetic acid (2 mL) washeated at 70° C. for 12 h, cooled to room temperature, concentrated andthe residue was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃ (10 ml) and EtOAc (10 mL). Theseparated aqueous phase was extracted with 4×10 mL of EtOAc and thecombined organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentratedto give a yellow solid. This yellow solid was mixed with 3 mL ofpolyphosphoric acid, heated at 200° C. for 3 h and cooled to roomtemperature. The reaction mixture was carefully quenched with sat.NaHCO₃ (80 ml) and extracted with 4×20 mL of EtOAc. The combined organiclayer was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to give abrownish yellow solid. This solid was dissolved in 5 mL of 57% HIsolution and heated at 110° C. for 12 h. After cooling to roomtemperature, the reaction mixture was carefully poured into sat. NaHCO₃(60 ml) containing 3 mL of 1 N NaOH and extracted with 4×20 mL of EtOAc.The combined organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered andconcentrated and the product was purified by chromatography (50 to 100%EtOAc-hexanes) to give the desired product 6 (132 mg, 46% for 3 steps).

A mixture of methyl indole-5-carboxylate (27 g, 155 mmol) (or thecorresponding 4-, 6- and 7-carboxylate), di-t-butyl dicarbonate (40 g,1.2 eq.), Et₃N (26 mL, 1.2 eq.) and DMAP (0.1 g, 0.005 eq.) in THF (165mL) was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture wasquenched by addition of sat. NaHCO₃ (350 mL). The separated aqueouslayer was extracted once with EtOAc. The combined organic phase wasconcentrated and the product was purified by chromatography (5% and 10%EtOAc-hexanes) to provide 7 (42 g, 100%).

To a solution of 7 (42 g, 152 mmol) in dichloromethane (400 mL) at −78°C. was added a 1 M solution of DIBAL-H in toluene (460 mL, 3.0 eq.)during 30 min of period. The cooling bath was replaced with −40° C., thereaction mixture was stirred and warmed to −30° C. and TLC showedreaction was completed. The reaction was quenched with careful additionof MeOH (57 mL, 9.0 eq.) and water (19 mL, 9.0 eq.), diluted with EtOAc(150 mL) and then warmed to rt. The resulting suspension mixture wasfiltered through celite washing with EtOAc until the product was nolonger detected. The filtrate was concentrated and the product waspurified by chromatography (15% and 30% EtOAc-hexanes) to provide 8 (29g, 75%).

Methanesulfonyl chloride (10.1 mL, 1.2 eq.) was added to a solution of 8(27.0 g, 109 mmol, 1.0 eq.) and diisopropylethylamine (57 mL, 3.0 eq.)in dichloromethane (250 mL) at 0° C. during 5 min. After stirringadditional 15 min, morpholine (14.3 mL, 1.5 eq. or cyclic or acyclicR′R″NH) was added to the reaction mixture and stirred at roomtemperature overnight. The mixture was poured into sat. NaHCO₃ (100 mL)and water (20 mL), the separated aqueous phase was extracted with 4×50mL of EtOAc. The combined organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered,concentrated and the product was purified by chromatography (15% to 40%EtOAc-hexanes) to provide 9 (34.0 g, 99%).

Method A: To a solution of diisopropylamine (17.0 mL, 1.2 eq.) in THF(350 mL) at −78° C. was added nBuLi (2.5 M in hexanes, 48.6 mL, 1.2 eq.)over a 15 min period and the reaction mixture was stirred and warmed toroom temperature after removing the cooling bath. The reaction mixturewas cooled back to −78° C. and a solution of 9 (32 g, 101 mmol) in =TH(120 mL) was introduced by cannulation during 15 min. The resultingmixture was stirred and warmed to −20° C. during 15 min and then Bu₃SnCl(31.5 mL, 1.15 eq.) was introduced. The mixture was stirred and warmedto room temperature and poured into a sat NH₄Cl (300 mL). The separatedaqueous phase was extracted with 3×100 mL of EtOAc. The combined organicphase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and the product waspurified by vacuum chromatography (5% to 50% EtOAc-hexanes) to provide10 (55 g, 89%).

Method B: This reaction was also carried out by following the sameprotocol as that used for the preparation of 15 from 14.

Compound 11 was prepared from indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl esterin 86% following the same procedure for the preparation of 10 from 9.

Compound 12 was prepared from mono- or di-substituted indole followingsimilar procedures for the preparation of 7 and 10.

A mixture of 4 (0.4 mmol, 1.0 eq., or 2 or 5 or 6), 10 (1.6 eq., or 11or 12) and [(C₆H₅)₃P]₄Pd (0.1 eq.) in degassed DMF (1 mL) under nitrogenwith or without K₂CO₃ (1.0 eq.) was heated at 110° C. for 18-28 h,cooled to room temperature and concentrated under high vacuum. Theresidue was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃ (10 mL) and EtOAc. The separatedaqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc multiple times until there was noproduct detected. The combined organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄,filtered and concentrated. The product was purified by chromatography(5% or 10% MeOH-EtOAc) to give the desired product 13. MS (ES) Compound# or/and (ER # or IC #) Structure of 13 ¹H NMR IC 400

¹H NMR 806014

287.3 (M − H)⁻ 806006

316.3 (M − H)⁻ 805985

278.3 (M + H)⁺ 805984

292.3 (M + H)⁺ 806002

306.3 (M + H)⁺ 805969

326.3 (M + H)⁺ 805971

354.3 (M + H)⁺ 805996

¹H NMR 805639 (IC 379)

¹H NMR 805895 (IC 405)

¹H NMR 806007

425.2 (M − H)⁻ 805976

¹H NMR 805975

¹H NMR 805999

¹H NMR 806011

393.3 (M + H)⁺ 805970

¹H NMR 805972

453.3 (M + H)⁺ 805997

469.2 (M − H)⁻ 806010

455.3 (M + H)⁺ 809189

¹H NMR 809190

¹H NMR 809191

¹H NMR 809192

¹H NMR 809193

¹H NMR

To a mixture of 8 (5-hydroxymethyl-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butylester as an example, 24.4 g, 98.8 mmol), Et₃N (41 mL, 3 eq.)and DMAP (1.2 g, 0.1 eq.) in dichloromethane (185 mL) was added TBSCI(23.1 g, 1.5 eq.) at room temperature and the resulting mixture wasstirred overnight. The reaction was quenched with the addition of satNaHCO₃ (200 mL) and the separated aqueous layer was extracted with 3×50mL dichloromethane. The combined organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄,filtered, concentrated and the product was purified by vacuumchromatography (3% EtOAc-hexanes) to provide 14(5-tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxymethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester) as a colorless oil (33.9 g, 95%).

To a solution of 14(5-tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxymethyl-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester as an example, 33.5 g, 92.7 mmol) in THE (650 mL) below−72° C. was added tBuLi (63 mL, 1.7 M in pentane, 1.2 eq.) dropwise overa period of 45 min and stirring was continued for an additional 40 min.The resulting brown solution was briefly warmed to −60° C. and thencooled back to below −72° C. Bu₃SnCl (31.6 mL, 1.3 eq.) was thenintroduced to the reaction mixture and stirred at 40° C. for 15 min. Thereaction was quenched at −35° C. with sat. NaHCO₃ (250 mL) and theseparated aqueous layer was extracted with 3×150 mL EtOAc. The combinedorganic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and theproduct was purified by vacuum chromatography (hexanes) to provide 15(5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxymethyl)-2-tributylstannyl-indole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester) as a colorless oil (60.6 g, 100%).

A solution of 15(5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxymethyl)-2-tributylstannyl-indole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester as an example, 60.6 g, 3.0 eq.) in DMF (100 mL)was added in four portions during 24 h period to a solution of 4 (R₂=Me,8.51 g, 31.0 mmol), Pd(Ph₃P)₄ (3.2 g, 0.09 eq.) and Et₃N (26 mL, 3.0eq.) in DMF (100 mL) with or without K₂CO₃ (1.0 eq.) at 110° C. undernitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred for 20 h, cooledto room temperature and concentrated. The residue was diluted with sat.NaHCO₃ (300 mL) and EtOAc (300 mL), filtered and washed with EtOAc toget rid of dark gray sludge. The separated aqueous phase from thefiltrate was extracted with 6×200 mL EtOAc until no desired productdetected by TLC. The combined organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄,filtered and concentrated. The residue was diluted with EtOAc and theresulting suspension was filtered, washed with EtOAc and 2×MeOH to give16 (4.27 g). The filtrate was concentrated and the residual product waspurified by chromatography (0 to 5% MeOH-EtOAc) to give additional 16(2.59 g). The products were combined to give 16(7-[5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxymethyl)-1H-indol-2-yl]-2-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-ylamine)as a greenish gray solid (6.86 g, 54%).

A solution of tBuOK in THF (1.66 M, 96.3 mL, 9.5 eq.) was added to amixture of 16(7-[5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxymethyl)-1H-indol-2-yl]-2-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-ylamineas an example, 6.86 g, 16.8 mmol) and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (39 mL,10 eq.) in THF (1.1 L) at below −28° C. during 40 min period. Afterstirring for 10 min, the reaction was quenched by addition of sat.NaHCO₃ (300 mL) and warmed to room temperature. The separated aqueouslayer was extracted by 3×150 mL of EtOAc. The combined organic phase wasdried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and the product was purifiedby vacuum chromatography (10 to 20% EtOAc/hexanes) to provide adi-Boc-protected intermediate.

The di-Boc-protected intermediate was then dissolved in 55 mL THFcontaining Et₃N (55 mL), DIBOC (22.5 g, 6.0 eq.) and DMAP (0.21 g, 0.1eq.) and heated at 65° C. for 5 h. After cooling to room temperature,the mixture was concentrated and the product was purified by vacuumchromatography (10% EtOAc-hexanes) to provide tetra-Boc-protectedintermediate.

The tetra-Boc-protected intermediate was then dissolved in a solution ofBF/pyridine in THF (0.89 M, 5.3 eq., HF/pyridine solution was preparedby mixing of 10 g of 70% R_(F)/pyridine, 52.5 mL of pyridine and 330 mLof THF) and stirred at room temperature for 40 h. The reaction mixturewas then carefully quenched with sat NaHCO₃ (250 mL) and the separatedaqueous layer was extracted by 3×50 mL of EtOAc. The combined organicphase was washed with brine (50 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered,concentrated and the product was purified by vacuum chromatography (10to 50% EtOAc-hexanes) to provide 17(5-di-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-7-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-hydroxylmethyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-2-methyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid ter-1-butyl ester, 5.64 g, 48% for three steps) as a light yellowsolid.

Methylsulfonylchloride (0.14 mL, 1.5 eq.) was added to a mixture of 17(5-di-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-7-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-hydroxylmethyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-2-methyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester as an example, 830 mg, 1.2 mmol) anddiisopropylethylamine (2.08 mL, 10 eq.) in dichloromethane (10 mL) at 0°C. and the resulting mixture was stirred and warmed to room temperature.After stirring for 7 h at room temperature, the mixture was kept at 0°C. for two days, warmed to room temperature and concentrated to half ofits volume. The product was then purified by chromatography (20% to 30%EtOAc/hexanes) to give 18(5-di-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-7-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-chloromethyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-2-methyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester, 770 mg, 90%).

A mixture of 17(5-di-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-7-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-hydroxylmethyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-2-methyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester as an example, 122 mg, 0.18 mmol) and Dess-Martinperiodinane (223 mg, 3.0 eq.) in dichloromethane (4 mL) was stirred atroom temperature for 1 h. The resulting mixture was diluted with diethylether (60 mL), stirred for 20 min and filtered through celite washingwith diethyl ether. The filtrate was washed with sat. NaHCO₃ (20 mL)containing Na₂S₂O₃ (500 mg) and the aqueous phase was back extractedwith 2×25 mL diethyl ether. The combined organic layer was dried overNa₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and the product was purified bychromatography (10 to 30% EtOAc-hexanes) to provide 19(5-di-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-7-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-formyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-2-methyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester, 117 mg, 96%).

A solution of KMnO₄ (436 mg, 2 eq.) and KH₂PO₄ (563 mg, 3 eq.) in water(15 mL) was added to a solution of 19(5-di-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-7-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-5-formyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-2-methyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester as an example, 958 mg, 1.38 mmol) in tBuOH (10 mL)at room temperature during 3 min and the resulting mixture was stirredfor 30 min. The mixture was then diluted with EtOAc. (20 mL), filteredthrough celite washing with EtOAc. The filtrate was diluted with brine(60 mL), water (40 mL) and EtOAc (200 mL). The separated aqueous phasewas extracted with 3×30 mL of EtAOc. The combined organic layer wasdried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and the product was purifiedby chromatography (30 to 100% EtOAc/hexanes) to provide 20(2-(3-tert-butylcarbonyl-5-di-(tert-butylcarbonyl)amino-2-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-7-yl)-indole-1,5-carboxylicacid 1-tert-butyl ester, 678 mg, 69%).

A mixture of (mono- or di-)substituted benzyl chloride (or bromide) orbromomethylnaphthalene or chloromethylpyridine hydrochloride (20 mmol)and methylamine (22 mL, 40% in water, 10 eq.) in MeOH (18 mL) wasstirred at room temperature for 1-5 days until reaction was completed.After concentration, the reaction mixture was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃(50 mL), extracted with EtAOc until there was no product detected. Thecombine extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated to givethe product 21.

Amines 22-26 were prepared following a modified procedure disclosed inpublished PCT application number WO 01/00610 A1.

Methanesulfonyl chloride (0.80 mL, 1.2 eq.) was added to a solution of2-(ethyl-phenyl-amino)-ethanol (1.43 g, 8.65 mmol) anddiisopropylethylamine (3.0 mL, 2.0 eq.) in dichloromethane (10 mL) at 0°C. and the resulting mixture was stirred for 15 min. A solution ofammonia (20 mL, 2 M in MeOH) was then introduced and the resultingmixture was stirred at room temperature for five days and concentrated.The residue was diluted with a solution of HCl (7 mL, 1 N) and washedwith 3×EtOAc. The aqueous phase was treated with a solution of NaOH (15mL, 1 N) and extracted once with EtOAc. The extract was dried overNa₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated to give the product 27.

To a solution of 2-benzyloxy-propane-1,3-diol (5.0 g, 27.4 mmol) in 5:1THF-DMF (200 mL) at 0° C. was added NaH (1.5 g, 2.3 eq.) followed bymethyl iodide (5.1 mL, 3.0 eq.). The resulting white slurry mixture wasstirred at room temperature over weekend. The reaction mixture wasquenched with sat. NH₄Cl, extracted with EtOAc, dried over Na₂SO₄,filtered, concentrated and the product was purified by chromatography(50% EtOAc/hexanes) to give(2-methoxy-1-methoxymethyl-2-ethoxymethyl)-benzene (5.6 g, 97%).

A mixture of (2-methoxy-1-methoxymethyl-2-ethoxymethyl)-benzene (5.5 g)and Pd(OH)₂ (0.4 g) in MeOH (150 mL) was stirred at room temperatureunder hydrogen gas until reaction was completed. The reaction mixturewas filtered and concentrated to give 1,3-dimethoxy-propan-2-ol (3.0 g,96%).

Methanesulfonyl chloride (0.61 mL, 2.0 eq.) was added to a solution of1,3-dimethoxy-propan-2-ol (0.50 g, 4.14 mmol) and triethylamine (2.3 mL,4.0 eq.) in dichloromethane (2 mL) at 0° C. and the resulting mixturewas stirred for 15 min. The reaction was quenched by sat. NaHCO₃ and themixture was extracted with EtOAc. The combined extracts were dried overNa₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue and NaN₃ (0.80 g, 3.0eq.) was dissolved in DMSO (10 mL) and heated at 90° C. over weekend.After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was diluted with sat.NaHCO₃ and extracted with diethyl ether. The combined extracts weredried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to give azide intermediate(320 mg, 48%).

A mixture of the azide intermediate (320 mg) and Pd(OH)₂ in MeOH (15 mL)was stirred at room temperature under hydrogen gas for 1 h. The reactionmixture was filtered and concentrated to give 28 (150 mg, 63%).

A mixture of ethyl-phenyl-amine (4.15 mL, 33 mmol), allyl bromide (4.3mL, 1.5 eq.) and K₂CO₃ (9.1 g, 2.0 eq.) in acetone (50 mL) was heated atreflux for overnight. After cooling to room temperature, the reactionmixture was diluted with water (50 mL) and EtOAc (100 m). The separatedorganic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated and theproduct was purified by chromatography (10% EtOAc/hexanes) to giveallyl-ethyl-phenyl-amine (5.32 g, 100%).

A solution of OsO₄ (7.8 mL, 0.1 M in water, 0.03 eq.) was added to amixture of allyl-ethyl-phenyl-amine (4.10 g, 25.3 mmol) and NMO (5.92 g,2.0 eq.) in 9:1 acetone-water (40 mL) at room temperature and theresulting mixture was stirred overnight. The mixture was diluted withsat. NaHCO₃ (80 mL), sat Na₂S₂O₃ (20 mL) and 1:1 Et₂O-hexanes (100 mL).The separated aqueous phase was extracted with 2×30 mL of EtOAc and thecombined organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentratedand the product was purified by chromatography (30% EtOAc-hexanes) togive 3-(ethyl-phenyl-amino)-propane-1,2-diol (4.25 g, 86%).Methanesulfonyl chloride (2.5 mL, 1.5 eq.) was added to a solution3-(ethyl-phenyl-amino)-propane-1,2-diol (4.22 g, 21.6 mmol) andtriethylamine (9.03 mL, 3.0 eq.) in dichloromethane (20 mL) at −30 to−35° C. and the resulting mixture was stirred and warmed to 0° C. Thereaction was quenched by sat. NaHCO₃ (30 mL) and the separated aqueousphase was extracted with 2×20 mL CH₂Cl₂ and 20 mL EtOAc. The combinedextracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residuewas dissolved in MeOH (30 mL) and treated with NaOMe (2.3 g, 2.0 eq.) at65-70° C. for 3 h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture wasdiluted with sat. NaHCO₃ (50 mL) and extracted with 3×30 mL of EtOAc.The combined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentratedand the product was purified by chromatography (10% EtOAc/hexanes) togive ethyl-oxiranylmethyl-phenyl-amine (1.72 g, 45%).

A solution of ethyl-oxiranylmethyl-phenyl-amine (1.72 g, 9.65 mmol) andNaOMe (1.04 g, 2.0 eq.) in MeOH(S mL) was heated at reflux for overweekend. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was diluted withsat. NaHCO₃ (20 mL) and extracted with 3×20 mL of EtOAc. The combinedextracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated and theproduct was purified by chromatography (30% EtOAc-hexanes) to give1-(ethyl-phenyl-amino)-3-methoxy-propan-2-ol (1.95 g, 97%).

A solution of 1-(ethyl-phenyl-amino)-3-methoxy-propan-2-ol (1.95 g, 9.32mmol) and NMO (2.18 g, 2.0 eq.) in dichloromethane (15 mL) was treatedwith TPAP (150 mg, 0.05 eq.) at room temperature until reaction wascompleted. The reaction mixture was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃ (50 mL) andextracted with 3×30 mL EtOAc. The combined extracts were dried overNa₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated and the product was purified bychromatography (10 to 15% EtOAc-hexanes) to give1-(ethyl-phenyl-amino)-3-methoxy-propan-2-one (0.98 mg, 51%).

A mixture of 1-(ethyl-phenyl-amino)-3-methoxy-propan-2-one (17 mg, 0.08mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (30 mg) and pyridine (0.3 mL) in MeOH(0.4 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. The reaction mixturewas diluted with sat NaHCO₃ and extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combinedextracts were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered and concentrated. Theresidue was dissolved in THF (0.8 mL) and treated with lithium aluminumhydride (0.3 mL, 1 M in THF) at room temperature for overnight. Work-upand purification by chromatography (5:95 ratio of 2 M NH₃ inMeOH:CH₂Cl₂) gave 29 as light yellow oil.

Compound 30 was prepared from 3-phenoxy-propane-1,2-diol in 21% overallyield following the same procedures for the preparation of 29 from3-(ethyl-phenyl-amino)-propane-1,2-diol.

A mixture of 3-(bromo-propyl)-benzene or bromomethyl-cyclohexane (1 M,1.0 eq.) in MeOH and 40% MeNH₂ in water (60 eq.) was stirred at roomtemperature or at 45° C. until reaction was completed. After cooling toroom temperature, the mixture was concentrated and the residue wasdiluted with saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with 3×CH_(2 Cl) ₂ (or/and3×EtOAc). The combined extracts were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filteredand concentrated to give 31 or 32.

Methanesulfonylchloride (0.8 mL, 1.0 eq.) was added to a mixture ofcyclopentyl-methanol (1.1 mL, 1.0 eq.) and ethyldiiospropylamine (3.9mL, 10 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) at 0° C. and the resulting mixture wasstirred and warmed to room temperature. After addition of saturatedNaHCO₃, the separated aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ and thecombined organic layer was concentrated to give crude mesylateintermediate. This mesylate was then treated with MeNH₂ following thesame procedure for the preparation of 31/32 to give 33.

A solution of TiCl₄ in CH₂Cl₂ (1 M, 1.56 mmol) was added to a mixture of1,2-diphenyl-ethanone (307 mg, 1.56 mmol), Et₃N (655 μL) and methylamine(1.02 mL) in THF (5 mL) at 0° C. After stirring 1.5 h, a solution ofNaBH₄ (280 mg, 37.8 mmol) in MeOH (8 mL) was added and the resultingmixture was stirred for 2 h. A saturated Na₂CO₃ was then added and thereaction mixture was stored in freezer overnight. After thawing, theorganic layer was removed and the aqueous phase was extracted with3×CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic phases were dried over Na₂SO₄, filteredand concentrated. Purification by preparative thin layer chromatography(80% EtOAc/hexanes) afforded 34 (195 mg, 59%).

Compounds 35 and 36 were prepared in a similar manner from2-methoxy-1-phenyl-ethanone and cycloheptanone, respectively.

To a solution of Boc-nortropinone (0.5 g, 2.2 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂(10 mL) was added TFA (10 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 2hours and then was concentrated. After addition of EtOAc and saturatedNaHCO₃, the reaction mixture was extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combinedorganic layers were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered and concentrated togive 37 (0.25 g).

To a solution of 2,5-dihydro-pyrrole-1-carboxylic acid phenyl ester (2g, 10 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in Acetone/water (9:1, 20 mL) was added OsO₄ (4% inwater, 1 mL) and NMO (2.3 g, 20 mmol, 2 eq.). The mixture was stirred atroom temperature overnight, concentrated to remove most of the Acetone,poured into saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combinedorganic layers were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered and concentrated.The crude mixture was purified by silica chromatography (70% to 90%EtOAc-Hexanes) to give 3,4-dihydroxy-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acidphenyl ester (2.04 g, 88%).

To a solution of 3,4-dihydroxy-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid phenylester (1.93 g, 8.1 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in MeOH (20 mL) was added Palladiumhydroxide and placed under H₂ for 4 h. The catalyst was filtered offthrough celite and rinsed with MeOH. The filtrate was concentrated (25°C.) to give 38 as reddish oil (840 mg, 100%).

To a suspension of NaH (8.99 g, 0.225 mol, 4.6 eq.) in DME (70 mL) at 0°C. was slowly added a solution of 1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]decan-8-one (7.56g, 0.048 mol, 1.0 eq.) in DME (24 mL). After stirring for 30 minutes, asolution of MeI (14 mL, 0.225 mol, 4.6 eq.) in DME (70 ml) was slowlyintroduced over 7 h and the resulting mixture was lowly warmed to roomtemperature and stirred overnight. The reaction was quenched by slowaddition of water until no more bubbling observed. The reaction mixturewas poured over iced water and extracted with 3× hexanes. The organiclayers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. Thecrude mixture was purified by chromatography (100% hexanes to removeoil, then 5:1 Hexanes-EtOAc) to give7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]decan-S-one (4.16 g, 40%).

To a solution of 7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]decan-8-one(4.15 g, 0.019 mol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (60 mL) was added 1 N HCl (30 mL)and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight,concentrated to remove most of the THF, extracted with 3×EtOAc. Theorganic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered andconcentrated to give 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-cyclohexane-1,4-dione as awhite solid (3.43 g, >100%).

To a solution of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-cyclohexane-1,4-dione (0.40 g, 2.4mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (8 mL) was added molecular sieves (4 Å, 80 mg), 2M solution of MeNH₂ in THF (1.3 mL, 2.6 mmol, 1.1 eq.), and AcOH (0.17mL, 3.0 mmol, 1.2 eq.). After 5 minutes of stirring, NaBH(OAc)₃ (0.71 g,3.33 mmol, 1.4 eq.) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred atroom temperature overnight. The reaction was quenched with the additionof saturated NaHCO₃. The mixture was then concentrated and the aqueouslayer was extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combined organic layers werewashed once with saturated NaHCO₃, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and aconcentrated to give a crude pale yellow oil that was crystallized togive 39 as a white crystals (0.40 g, >100%).

To solution of methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (17 g, 1.5 eq.) in THF(100 mL) at 0° C. was added dropwise n-butyllithium (2.5 M in hexanes,15 mL, 1.4 eq.) and the resulting mixture was stirred for 1 h. Asolution of 1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]decan-S-one (5.0 g, 32 mmol, 1.0 eq.) inTHF (10 mL) was then introduced dropwise and the resulting mixture waswarmed to room temperature and stirred overnight. The reaction wasquenched by addition of sat. NaHCO₃ and the separated aqueous layer wasextracted with 4×EtOAc. The combined organic phase was dried overNa_(2 SO) ₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified bychromatography (5% to 10% EtOAc/hexanes) to give8-methyene-1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]decane (3.92 g, 79%).

To a solution of 8-methyene-1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]decane (2.0 g, 13 mmol,1.0 eq.) in THF (10 mL) at 0° C. was added dropwise 9-BBN (0.5 M in THF,104 mL, 4.0 eq.) and the resulting mixture was stirred for 15 min andthen warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight. Then NaBO₄ 4H₂O(32 g, 16 eq.) was introduced at 0° C. portionwise and the resultingmixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight, dilutedwith hexanes (30 mL) and the separated aqueous phase was extracted withEtOAc. The combined organic phase was dried over over Na₂SO₄, filteredand concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography(50% to 100% EtOAc-hexanes) to give(1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-methanol (1.5 g, 67%).

To a solution of (1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-methanol (1.0 g, 5.8mmol, 1.0 eq.) and ethyldiisopropylamine (17 mL, 3.0 eq.) in methylenechloride (4 mL) at 0° C. was added dropwise MsCl (0.46 mL, 1.0 eq.) andthe resulting mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2h. The reaction was quenched by addition of sat. NaHCO₃ and theseparated aqueous phase was extracted with 3× methylene chloride and4×EtOAc. The combined organic phase was dried over over Na_(2 SO) ₄,filtered and concentrated to give a crude methanesulfonic acid1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-ylmethyl ester.

A mixture of the crude methanesulfonic acid1,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-ylmethyl ester (400 mg) in MeOH (2 mL) andaqueous MeNH₂ (40% w/w, 5 mL) was heated at reflux (60° C. oil both) forovernight. The reaction was quenched by addition of sat NaHCO₃ and theseparated aqueous phase was extracted with 4× methylene chloride and4×EtOAc. The combined organic phase was dried over over Na_(2 SO) ₄,filtered and concentrated to give crude 40 as brown oil.

To a solution of 4-oxo-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid benzyl ester (0.50g, 2.14 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (20 mL) was added dibromodifluoromethane(0.90 mL, 4.5 eq.) at −30° C. followed by HMPA (1.75 mL, 4.5 eq.). Thecooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was swirledperiodically. After 30 min, zinc dust (0.63 g, 4.5 eq.) and HMPA (80 μL0.4 eq.) was added and the mixture was heated at reflux for 18 h. Uponcooling to room temperature, the residue was washed with diethyl etherseveral times. The combined ether washings were washed successively withsaturated aqueous copper (II) sulphate, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ andconcentrated. The residue was purification by chromatography (20%EtOAc-hexanes) to afford 4-difluoromethylene-piperidine-1-carboxylicacid benzyl ester (0.32 g, 56%) as a colorless oil.

A mixture of 4-difluoromethylene-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid benzylester (269 mg) and Pearlman's catalyst in methanol (2.5 mL) was stirredunder hydrogen atmosphere (using hydrogen filled balloon) for 4 h atroom temperature. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite andthe filtrate was concentrated to give 41 (138 mg) as pale yellow oil.

Following the same procedure to prepare 41,4-difluoromethylene-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2,2-dimethyl-propylester (368 mg) was prepared using 4-oxo-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid2,2-dimethyl-propyl ester (500 mg). The4-difluoromethylene-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 2,2-dimethyl-propylester (368 mg) in methylene chloride (1.0 mL) at room temperature wastreated with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA, 0.5 mL) for 1.5 h. Afterconcentration of of the reaction mixture, the crude 42 was used directlywithout further purification.

To a solution of 2-amino-cyclohexanol (3.50 g 23.0 mmol, 1.0 eq.) inCH₂Cl₂ (100 mL) was added ethylchloroformate (2.65 mL, 1.2 eq.) followedby an aqueous solution of K₂CO₃ (16.0 g in 200 mL of H₂O). The mixturewas stirred vigorously for 1 h. The separated aqueous layer wasextracted twice with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried overMgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give (2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-carbamicacid ethyl ester (4.36 g, >100%).

To a solution of (2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acid ethyl ester (2.06g, 11.0 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (80 mL) was added LiAlH₄ (1.09 g, 28.7mmol, 2.6 eq.) and the resulting mixture was heated at 65° C. for 2 h.The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C., quenched with water, and theseparated aqueous phase was extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combined organicphase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give2-methylamino-cyclohexanol (1.19 g, 84%).

To a solution of 2-methylamino-cyclohexanol (0.204 g, 1.58 mmol, 1.0eq.) and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (0.422 g, 1.2 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (7.0 mL)was added was added a solution of K₂CO₃ in water (1.09 g in 14.0 mL ofH₂O) and the resulting mixture was stirred vigorously for 1 h. Theseparated aqueous layer was extracted twice with CH₂Cl₂. The combinedorganic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (0.332 g,92%).

To a solution of (2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butylester (0.237 g, 1.03 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (7.0 mL) at 0° C. wasadded molecular sieves (4 Å, 3 mL). The reaction was stirred for 5minutes and then NMO (0.422 g, 3.5 eq.) and TPAP (0.025 g, 0.07 eq.)were introduced. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 5minutes, and then 40 minutes at room temperature. After diluted withhexanes, the reaction mixture was passed through a silica gel pad, usinghexanes at the beginning to remove CH₂Cl₂, and then using a 1:1 mixtureof hexanes-EtOAc to get the desired product. After concentration of thehexanes-EtOAc filtrate, methyl-(2-oxo-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester was obtained as a white solid (0.235 g, 100%).

To a solution of methyl-(2-oxo-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acid tert-butylester (0.202 g, 0.89 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (3.0 mL) was added TEA(1.0 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3h. The reaction mixture was then concentrated to give 43 (0.285 g,>100%).

To a solution of cyclopentylamine (5.8 mL, 59 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂(250 mL) at room temperature was added ethylchloroformate (7.3 mL, 1.3eq.) followed by an aqueous solution of K₂CO₃ (37 g in 500 mL of H₂O).The mixture was stirred vigorously for 1 h. The separated aqueous layerwas extracted twice with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were driedover MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give cyclopentyl-carbamic acidethyl ester (9.6 g, 88%).

To a solution of the cyclopentyl-carbamic acid ethyl ester (6.00 g, 32.4mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (250 mL) was added LiAlH₄ (3.08 g, 2.5 eq.) andthe resulting mixture was heated at 65° C. for 2 h. The reaction wasthen cooled to 0° C. and quenched by addition of water. The separatedaqueous layer was extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combined organic phase wasdried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give 44 (2.01 g, 62%).

Compounds 45-58 were prepared following the same procedures for thepreparation of 44 from the corresponding primary amines.

To a solution of cyclopentanone (250.0 mL, 0.28 mol, 1.0 eq.) in toluene(100 mL), was added pyrrolidine (27.5 mL, 1.2 eq.). The reaction wasequipped with a Dean-Stark and heated at reflux overnight. The reactionmixture was cooled to room temperature and concentrated to give thecrude 1-cyclopent-1-enyl-pyrrolidine (45.8 g, >100%).

To a solution of Pd(OAc)₂ (0.06 g, 0.06 eq.), PPh₃ (0.32 g, 0.24 eq.)and carbonic acid 2-ethoxycarbonyloxymethyl-allyl ester ethyl ester(1.23 g, 5.30 mmol, 1.0 eq., prepared following Tetrahedron 1998,54(49), 14885-14904) in CH₃CN (30 ml) was added1-cyclopent-1-enyl-pyrrolidine (1.01 g, 1.4 eq.) and the resultingmixture was heated at 45° C. for 35 minutes. Then water (15 mL) wasintroduced and the reaction mixture was heated at 50° C. for 1 h, cooledto room temperature and diluted with EtOAc (30 mL). The separatedaqueous phase was extracted twice with EtOAc. The combined organic phasewas dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue waspurified by silica gel chromatography (10% to 15% EtOAc-hexanes) to give3-methylene-bicyclo[3,2,1]octan-8-one (0.14 g, 70%) as a pale yellowliquid.

To a solution of 3-methylene bicyclo[3,2,1]octan-8-one (0.14 g, 1.04mmol, 1.0 eq.) in benzene (10 mL) was added ethylene glycol (0.65 g, 16eq.) and PTSA (0.01 g, 0.06 eq.). The reaction was equipped with aDean-Stark and heated at reflux overnight. After cooling to roomtemperature, Et₃N (0.15 mL) was introduced and the resulting mixture waspassed through a cake of SiO₂ and MgSO₄. The cake was washed with CH₂Cl₂and the combined filtrates were concentrated to give 3-methylenebicyclo[3,2,1]octan-8-one ethylene ketal (0.21 g, >100%).

To a solution of 3-methylenyl bicyclo[3,2,1]octan-8-one ethylene ketal(0.21 g, 1.15 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) at −78° C. was bubbled 03until the reaction stayed blue (about 3 min). The 03 bubbling wasstopped and the reaction mixture was stirred for 5 min at −78° C. Thereaction was quenched by addition of triphenylphosphine (0.43 g, 1.4eq.) and stirring at −78° C. for 10 minutes. The reaction mixture wasallowed to warm at room temperature, stirred for 40 minutes andconcentrated. The residue was ppurified by silica gel chromatography(10% to 15% EtOAc-hexanes) to give bicyclo[3,2,1]octane-3,8-dioneS-ethylene ketal as a colorless oil (0.08 g, 40%).

To a solution of bicyclo[3,2,1]octane-3,8-dione-8-ethylene ketal (53.1mg, 0.27 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (1.0 mL) at 0° C. was added Et₃N (0.11mL, 2.9 eq.) followed by MeNH₂ (2.0 M in THF, 0.21 mL, 1.5 eq.). Afterstirring at room temperature for 5 minutes, TiCl₄ (0.30 mL, 10.0 eq.)was introduced dropwise and the resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C.for 45 minutes. A solution of NaBH₄ (53.1 mg, 5.1 eq.) in MeOH (2.0 mL)was then introduced and the resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1h. The reaction was quenched with saturated NaHCO₃ and the separatedaqueous layer was extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combined organic phase wasdried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give the crude product,3-methylamino-bicyclo[3,2,1]octan-S-one ethylene ketal (24.1 mg).

To a solution of 3-methylamino-bicyclo[3,2,1]octan-S-one ethylene ketal(94.5, 0.48 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in acetone (2.0 mL) was added 1N HCl (1.5 mL)and the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reactionmixture was neutralized with saturated NaHCO₃ until pH was higher than7, extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combined organic phase was dried overMgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give 49 (40.0 mg, 54%).

To a solution of(3,3-dimethyl-1,5-dioxa-spiro[5,5]undec-9-yl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride(1.0 g, 4 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (12 mL) was added di-tert-butyldicarbonate (1.1 mL, 1.2 eq.), triethylamine (2 mL) and DMAP(catalytical amount). The resulting mixture was heated at 90° C. for 6,cooled to room temperature, poured in saturated NaHCO₃, and theseparated aqueous layer was extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combined organiclayers were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered and concentrated. Theresidue was purified by silica gel chromatography (10% EtOAc/hexanes) togive (3,3-dimethyl-1,5-dioxa-spiro[5,5]undec-9-yl)-methyl-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (1.4 g, 91%) as a white solid.

To a solution of(3,3-dimethyl-1,5-dioxa-spiro[5,5]undec-9-yl)-methyl-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (1.27 g, 3.63 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in acetone (40 mL) andwater (20 mL) was added PPTS (228 mg, 0.25 eq.) and the resultingreaction was heated to reflux overnight, cooled to room temperature,concentrated to 20 mL, poured in saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with3×EtOAc. The combined organic layers were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄,filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by silica gelchromatography (hexanes to 20% EtOAc/hexanes) to givemethyl-(4-oxo-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (735 mg, 88%)as a white solid.

To a solution of methyl-(4-oxo-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acid tert-1-butylester (0.69 g, 3.04 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (25 mL) at −30° C. was addedCBr₂F₂ (1.25 mL, 4.5 eq.) followed slow addition of by P(N(CH₃)₂)₃. Theresulting mixture was warmed to room temperature over 0.5 h and Zn wasintroduced. The resulting mixture was stirred at reflux for 16 h, cooledto room temperature and diluted with Et₂O. The organic phase wasdecanted and the aqueous phase extracted with 2×Et₂O. The combinedorganic phase was washed with saturated CuSO₄ solution until it stayedblue, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue waspurified by chromatography (20% EtOAc-Hexanes) to give(4-difluoromethylene-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester(475 mg, 60%) as a white solid.

To a solution of (4-difluoromethylene-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (150 mg, 0.57 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (1.5 mL) wasadded TFA (1.5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h and thenwas concentrated to give 50 (85 mg). The crude compound was taken to thenext step without further purification.

To a solution of cyclopropylamine (5.0 g, 87.5 mmol) and triethylamine(30 mL) in dichloromethane (100 mL) at 0° C. was added dropwise benzylchloroformate (15.0 ml, 10.5 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirredfor 2 h. Additional benzyl chloroformate (1 mL) was added and theresulting reaction mixture was stirred overnight. The reaction was thenquenched by addition of a saturated NaHCO₃ and the separated aqueousphase was extracted several times with dichloromethane. The combineddichloromethane extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered andconcentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography (15% EtOAc to5% MeOH/EtOAc) to give cyclopropyl-carbamic acid benzyl ester (11.8 g,71%).

To a solution of cyclopropyl-carbamic acid benzyl ester (11.8 g) andmethyl iodide (excess) in THF (80 mL) and DMF (20 mL) at 0° C. was addedNaH (2.20 g, 91.6 mmol) and the resulting mixture was warmed to roomtemperature and stirred overnight. The reaction was then quenched at 0°C. by sat. NaHCO₃. The separated aqueous phase was extracted severaltimes with EtOAc. The combined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filteredand concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography (5% to 20%EtOAc/hexanes) to give cyclopropyl-methyl-carbamic acid benzyl ester(11.32 g, 91%).

A mixture of cyclopropyl-methyl-carbamic acid benzyl ester (10.7 g) andPd(OH)₂ in MeOH (100 mL) was stirred at room temperature under H₂balloon for 17 h, diluted with concentrated HCl (4.8 mL), filteredthrough celite and concentrated. The residue was azeotroped with tolueneseveral times to give cyclopropyl-methyl-amine hydrochloride (51, 5.75g). The crude material was used without further purification.

To a solution of (tetrahydro-furan-3-yl)-methanol (1.00 g, 9.79 mmol,1.0 eq.), PPh₃ (3.85 g, 1.5 eq.) and imidazole (1.33 g, 2.0 eq.) inCH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) at 0° C. was added 12 (3.73 g, 1.5 eq.) and the resultingmixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min and then at room temperature for30 min. The reaction mixture was diluted with sat. Na₂S₂O₃ solution andthe separated aqueous layer was extracted by 3×EtOAc and 4×CH_(2 Cl) ₂.The combined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated.The residue was purified by chromatography (15% EtOAc/hexanes) to give3-iodomethyl-tetrahydro-furan as yellow oil (1.59 g, 76%).

A mixture of 3-iodomethyl-tetrahydro-furan (500 mg, 2.36 mmol, 1.0 eq.)and MeNH₂ (40% in H₂₀, 1.62 mL, 8.0 eq.) in MeOH (1 mL) was heated at60° C. for 3 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixturewas diluted with excess Et₃N and concentrated. This process was repeateduntil no MeNH₂ was detected by ¹HNMR. The residual yellow oil (52) wasused directly without further purification.

To a solution of 1-methoxymethyl-propylamine (2.50 g, 24.3 mmol, 1.0eq.) in dioxane (15 mL) was added an aqueous solution of K₂CO₃ (15 g in15 mL of H₂O) and the mixture was cooled to 0° C. CBZ-Cl (4.16 mL, 1.2eq.) was then introduced and the resulting mixture was warmed to roomtemperature and stirred for 3 h, extracted with EtOAc. The combinedorganicphase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. Theresidue was purified by chromatography (hexanes to 40% EtOAc/hexanes) togive (1-methoxymethyl-propyl)-carbamic acid benzyl ester (4.4 g, 76%) asa white solid.

To a solution of (1-methoxymethyl-propyl)-carbamic acid benzyl ester(4.4 g, 18.5 mmol, 1.0 eq.) and MeI (6.9 mL, 111 mmol, 6 eq.) in THF/DMF(4:1, 50 mL) at 0° C. was slowly added NaH (1.35 g, 55.5 mmol, 3 eq.).The resulting mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight. The reaction was quenched carefully by slow addition of wateruntil no bubbling (H₂) was observed. The reaction mixture was pouredover ice water and extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combined organic phasewas dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue waspurified by silica gel chromatography (30% to 50% EtOAc-hexanes) to give(1-methoxymethyl-propyl)-methyl-carbamic acid benzyl ester (4.4 g, 94%).

To a solution of (1-methoxymethyl-propyl)-methyl-carbamic acid benzylester (4.4 g, 17.5 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in MeOH (30 mL) was added Palladiumhydroxide and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperatureunder H₂ for 1.5 h. The mixture was then filtered through celite andwashed with MeOH. The filtrate was treated with concentrated HCl (1.6mL, 1 eq.) and concentrated to give 53 (2.67 g, 100%). ¹H NMR confirmedthe compound. The crude compound was used to the next step withoutfurther purification.

Compound 54 was prepared from (1-benzyl-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-carbamic acidbenzyl ester following the same procedures of step 2 and 3 for theparparation of 53.

(1-cyclohexylmethyl-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-carbamic acid benzyl esterwas prepared from (1-cyclohexylmethyl-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-carbamic acidbenzyl ester following the same procedure of step 2 for the preparationof 53. (1-Cyclohexylmethyl-2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-carbamic acid benzylester was then treated with TFA-CH₂Cl₂ (1:1) at room temperature for 4h. The mixture was then concentrated to give 55.

To a solution of (R)-(−)-leucinol (2.0 g, 17 mmol, 1.0 eq.), Et₃N (3.6mL, 1.5 eq.) and DMAP (10 mg) in THF (2 mL) was added Boc₂O (4.5 g, 1.2eq.) at room temperature. After stirring for 5 h, the reaction wasquenched by water and the separated aqueous phase was extracted with 4×ether. The combined organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered andconcentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography (20% to 30%EtOAc/hexanes) to give (1-hydroxymethyl-3-methyl-butyl)-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (1.9 g, 53%). ¹H NMR confirmed the compound.

Compound 56 was prepared from (1-hydroxymethyl-3-methyl-butyl)-carbamicacid tert-butyl ester following the same procedures for the preparationof 55.

Methyllithium (1M in THF) (120 mL, 3.5 eq.) was added to a solution of4-hydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (cis/trans mixture) (5.00 g, 1 eq.)in THF (350 mL) at −78° C. After stirring at −78° C. for 45 min, thecooling bath was removed and the resulting mixture was warmed to roomtemperature and stirred overnight. After total 24 h, the resultingreaction mixture was poured into ice/water (800 mL). This mixture wasvigorously stirred. The separated aqueous phase was extracted withMeOH/EtOAc (1/20). The combined organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄,filtered and concentrated. The crude product was purified bychromatography (50% to 100% EtOAc/hexanes) to give1-(4-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-ethanone (2.08 g, 42%).

A mixture of 1-(4-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-ethanone (2.24 g, 1 eq.), toluene(160 mL), neopentylglycol (1.96 g, 1.2 eq.) and pTsOH (150 mg, 0.05 eq.)in a flask equipped with Dean-Stark apparatus was heated to refluxovernight. The mixture was cooled down to room temperature andcontentrated. The crude product was purified by silic gel columnchromatography (25% to 50% EtOAc/hexanes) to give4-(2,5,5-trimethyl-[1,3]dioxan-2-yl)-cyclohexanol (2.23 g, 62%).

TPAP (161 mg, 0.05 eq.) was added to a solution of4-(2,5,5-trimethyl-[1,3]dioxan-2-yl)-cyclohexanol (2.22 g, 1 eq.) andNMO (2.28 g, 2 eq.) in MeCN (65 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred atroom temperature overnight. Saturated aqueous solution of Na₂S₂O₃ wasadded to the mixture and the resulting mixture was stirred vigorouslyfor 15 minutes. The separated aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂.The combined organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered throughCelite and concentrated. The crude product was purified by silica gelcolumn chromatography (25% to 50% EtOAc/hexanes) to give4-(2,5,5-trimethyl-[1,3]dioxan-2-yl)-cyclohexanone (1.87 g, 85%).

Compound 57 was prepared from4-(2,5,5-trimethyl-[1,3]dioxan-2-yl)-cyclohexanone following theprocedure for the preparation of 34 from 1,2-diphenyl-ethanone.

To a suspension of(3,3-dimethyl-1,5-dioxa-spiro[5,5]undec-9-yl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride(6.9 g, 27.6 mmol, 1.0 eq.), Et3N (15 mL, 4.0 eq.) and DMAP (catalyticamount) in THF-MDF (1:1, 100 mL) was added di-t-butyl dicarbonate (7.6mL, 1.2 eq.) and the resulting mixture was heated at 90° C. for 6 h.After cooling to room temperature, he reaction mixture was diluted withsat. NaHCO₃ and the separated aqueous layer was extracted with 2×EtOAc.The combined organic layer was dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered andconcentrated. The crude product was purified by chromatography (10% to20% EtOAc/hexanes) to give(3,3-dimethyl-1,5-dioxa-spiro[5,5]undec-9-yl)-methyl-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester as a white solid (9.53 g, 99%).

A solution of(3,3-dimethyl-1,5-dioxa-spiro[5,5]undec-9-yl)-methyl-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (9.53 g, 27.2 mmol, 1.0 eq.) and PPTS (2.1 g, 0.3 eq.)in acetone-water (2:1, 500 mL) was heated at 80° C. for 18 h, cooled toroom temperature and concentrated to remove acetone. The residualaqueous solution was diluted with NaHCO₃ and extracted with 2×EtOAc. Thecombined organic layer was dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered andconcentrated. The crude product was purified by chromatography (20% to50% EtOAc/hexanes) to give methyl-(4-oxo-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester as a white solid (5.38 g, 87%).

To a solution of methyl-(4-oxo-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acid tert-butylester (134 mg, 0.59 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.5 mL) at roomtemperature was added (MeOCH₂CH₂)₂NSF₃ (217 μL, 2.0 eq.) followed byethanol (10 μL, 0.3 eq.). After stirring for 1 h, the reaction wasquenched carefully by addition of sat NaHCO₃ and stirred until gasevolution ceased. The separated aqueous phase was extracted with CH₂Cl₂.The combined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered andconcentrated. The crude mixture was purified by chromatography (5% to10% EtOAc/hexanes) to give mixture of(4,4-difluoro-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester and(4-difluoro-cyclohex-3-enyl)-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester. To asolution of the mixture products in CH₂Cl₂ (1.5 mL) at room temperaturewas added trifluoroacetic acid (1.5 mL) at room temperature and theresulting mixture was stirred for 2.5 h and concentrated to give amixture of 53 and 59 (2:1 ratio by H¹-NMR).

To a solution of 3-chloro-2-chloromethy-1-propene (20.0 g, 160 mmol, 1.0eq.) in THF (40 mL) at 0° C. was added NaOMe (100 mL of 25% solution inmethanol, 2.8 eq.). After cooling bath was removed, the reaction mixturewas stirred at room temperature for 20 h and at 35° C. for 20 h. Thereaction was quenched with sat. NH₄Cl (10 mL) and the mixture wasdiluted with ether (200 mL) and filtered washing with ether. Thefiltrate was concentrated by distillation of ether, THF and EtOH atatmospheric pressure to give light yellow liquid residue. Fractionaldistillation of the residue gave 3-methoxy-2-methoxymethy-1-propene (8.9g, 43%). b.p.=120-130° C.

To a solution of the 3-methoxy-2-methoxymethy-1-propene (3.5 g, 30 mmol,1.0 eq.) in THF (10 mL) at 0° C. was added BH₃-THF (1M in THF, 18 mL,0.6 eq.) and the resulting mixture was stirred for 40 min. The reactionwas quenched with water followed by sodium perborate (10.6 g, 2.3 eq.),warmed to room temperature, stirred overnight, diluted with CH₂Cl₂ andfiltered through celite. The filtrate was diluted with brine and theseparated aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined extractswere dried over Na₂SO₄ and filtered. The filtrate was didstilled atatmospheric pressure to give light yellow liquid residue. Fractionaldistillation of the residue at 40 milli Torr gave3-methoxy-2-methoxymethypropan-1-ol (1.93 g, 48%). b.p.=90-110° C.

To a solution of alcohol 3-methoxy-2-methoxymethypropan-1-ol (0.90 g,6.7 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (10 mL) at 0° C. was added Et₃N (1.9 mL,2.0 eq.) followed by MsCl (0.63 mL, 1.2 eq.). After stirring for 40 min,the reaction was quenched with methylamine (40% in water). Afterconcentration of the reaction mixture at room temperature, the residuewas diluted with methanol (2 mL) and methylamine (3 mL, 40% in water),heated at 50° C. for 18 h cooled to room temperature, saturated withNa₂CO₃ and extracted with ether. The combined extracts were dried overNa₂SO₄ and filtered. The filtrate was didstilled at atmospheric pressureto give crude product 60 (0.78 g, 80%) as a light yellow liquid.

To a solution of trans-4-amino-cyclohexanol hydrochloride (5.0 g, 32.9mmol, 1.0 eq.) in water (80 mL) and THF (60 mL) at room temperature wasadded NaHCO₃ (6.4 g, 2.3 eq.) and (Boc)₂O (14.8 mL, 2.0 eq.). Afterstirring for 48 h, most of THF from reaction mixture was removed byconcentration and the aqueous residue was extracted with EtOAc. Thecombined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered andconcentrated. The crude product was crystallized from EtOAc-hexanes(9:1) to give (4-trans-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acid tert-butylester (5.2 g, 75%).

To a solution of (4-trans-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acid tert-butylester (3.0 g, 13.9 mmol, 1.0 eq.) and methyl iodide (4.3 mL, 5.0 eq.) inN-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) (50 mL) at 0° C. was added 60% NaH inmineral oil (1.67 g, 3.0 eq.) in a controlled portion wise manner andthe resulting mixture was stirred for 3 h at room temperature. Thereaction mixture was quenched with methanol (3.0 mL), stirred for 30min, diluted with sat. NH₄Cl and the mixture was extracted three timeswith EtOAc. The combined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄,filtered and concentrated. The crude mixture was purified by silica gelchromatography (20% EtOAc/hexanes) to give(4-trans-methoxy-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (3.25g, 96%).

To a solution of trans-(4-methoxy-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (445 mg, 1.83 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 mL) at roomtemperature was added trifluoroacetic acid (2 mL). After stirring for 2h, the reaction mixture was concentrated to give 61 (685 mg, 145%,contains residual TFA). ¹H NMR confirmed the structure and the productwas used without further purification.

Alternatively, compound 61 may be prepared according to the followingscheme:

Thus, oxidation of 4-methoxy cyclohexanol under suitable conditions(e.g., TPAP, NMO) in a suitable solvent (e.g., methylene chloride) givesthe corresponding ketone. Reductive amination of 4-methoxy cyclohexanoneunder suitable conditions (e.g., dimethylamine, NaBH(OAc)₃, AcOH in THF)gives access to the corresponding amine 61 with good stereoselectivity(i.e., trans).

To a suspension of methyl-(4-oxo-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acid tert-butylester (an intermediate for the preparation of 58 and 59, 580 mg, 2.56mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (8 mL) at −78° C. was added LS-selectride (1 Msolution in THF, 5.7 mL, 2.2 eq.). After stirring for 2.5 h, thereaction mixture was warmed to 0° C. and stiffed for 30 min. Thereaction was quenched with sat. NH₄Cl and the separated aqueous layerwas extracted with EtOAc-hexanes (1:1). The combined organic extractswere dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude mixture waspurified by silica gel chromatography (33% to 50% EtOAc/hexanes) to give(4-cis-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (391mg, 67%).

Compound 62 was prepared from (4-cis-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamicacid tert-butyl ester following the same procedure for the preparationof 61 from (4-trans-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester.

To a solution of (4-cis-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (1.95 g, 8.52 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in DMF (20 mL) at 0° C.was added NaH (559 mg, 2.5 eq.). After stirring for 10 min, methyliodide (3.9 mL, 7.6 eq.) was introduced and the cooling bath wasremoved. After stirring for 5 h atr room temperature, the reaction wasquenched with methanol (1.5 mL), stirred for 15 min and diluted withsat. NH₄Cl. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc-hexanes (1:1). Thecombined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered andconcentrated. The crude mixture was purified by silica gelchromatography (10% to 25% EtOAc/hexanes) to give(4-cis-methoxy-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (1.73g, 84%).

To a solution of (4-cis-methoxy-cyclohexyl)-methyl-carbamic acidtert-butyl ester (1.73 g, 7.12 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (4 mL) at roomtemperature was added trifluoroacetic acid (4 mL). After stirring for3.5 h, the reaction mixture was concentrated to give a crude product.This product was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) and washed with sat. Na₂CO₃(40 mL). The aqueos layer was back extracted with 5×CH_(2 Cl) ₂. Thecombined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered andconcentrated to give free amine 63 (1.12 g, 109%, contains residualCH₂Cl₂).

A mixture of 18 (0.01-0.1 M, 1.0 eq.), diisopropylethylamine (5.0 eq.)and any one of amine from 21-63 or other commercially available primaryor secondary alkylamine (3-10 eq.) in dichloromethane was stirred atroom temperature or at 40° C. for several hours to five days untilreaction was completed. The reaction mixture was concentrated and theintermediate product, either with or without purification bychromatography (EtOAc/hexanes), was dissolved in 1:1 mixture ofdichloromethane and trifluoroacetic acid (0.05 M) and stirred at roomtemperature with or without anisole (5-10 eq.) for 3-4 h until reactionwas completed. The reaction was then carefully quenched with sat.NaHCO₃, extracted with EtOAc until there was no product detected. Thecombined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and theproduct 64 was purified by reverse phase HPLC (MeOH-water).

The following procedure has been used for aromatic amines (R_(F) and/orR_(G)=Ar). To a solution of N-ethylaniline (47 μL, 6 eq.) in THF (1 mL)at −78° C. was added nBuLi (148 μL, 2.5 M in hexanes, 6 eq.) followed byHMPA (200 μL) and stirred for 10 min. A solution of 18 (44 mg, 0.062mmol) in THF (0.7 mL) was introduced by rinsing with THF (0.3 mL). After10 min stirring, the reaction mixture was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ (15mL), extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combine extracts were dried overNa_(2 SO) ₄, filtered, concentrated and the product was purified bychromatography (EtOAc) to give an intermediate. This intermediate andanisole (100 mL) was dissolved in 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane andtrifluoroacetic acid (2 mL) and stirred at room temperature 3 h. Thereaction was then carefully quenched with sat. NaHCO₃, extracted with4×EtOAc. The combine extracts were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered,concentrated and the product 64 was purified by reverse phase HPLC(MeOH-water).

Diisopropylethylamine (1.6 eq.) was added to a solution of 20 (0.03-0.05M, 1.0 eq.) and TOTU (1.5 eq.) in DMF at room temperature and stirredfor 15 min. To the resulting mixture was added any one amine from 21-63or other commercially available primary or secondary amine (1.5 eq.).The reaction mixture was stirred for several hours to overnight untilreaction completed. The reaction mixture was concentrated and theintermediate product, either with or without purification bychromatography (EtOAc/hexanes), was dissolved in 1:1 mixture ofdichloromethane and trifluoroacetic acid (0.01-0.05M) and stirred atroom temperature with or without anisole (5-10 eq.) for 34 h untilreaction was completed. The reaction was then carefully quenched withsat. NaHCO₃, extracted with EtOAc until there was no product detected.The combine extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated andthe product 65 was purified by reverse phase HPLC (MeOH-water).

Compounds in the following table were prepared either following thepreparation of 13 or 64 or 65. MS (ES) Compound # or/and (ER # or IC #)Structure of 13 ¹HNMR 806094

¹H NMR 806095

¹H NMR 806123

361.4 (M + H)⁺ 806136

404.3 (M + H)⁺ 806181

¹H NMR 806221

413.3 (M + H)⁺ 806220

465.3 (M + H)⁺ 806224

409.3 (M + H)⁺ 806228

412.3 (M + H)⁺ 806276

471.3 (M + H)⁺ 806275

487.3 (M + H)⁺ 806274

397.3 (M + H)⁺ 806273

411.3 (M + H)⁺ 806317

398.2 (M + H)⁺ 806320

417.2 (M + H)⁺ 806329

424.3 (M + H)⁺ 806333

497.3 (M + H)⁺520.2 (M + Na)⁺ 806336

411.3 (M + H)⁺ 806358

397.2 (M + H)⁺ 806359

383.3 (M + H)⁺ 806363

462.2 (M + H)⁺ 806362

440.3 (M + H)⁺ 806361

479.2 (M + H)⁺ 806368

369.2 (M + H)⁺ 806372

495.2 (M + H)⁺ 806373

499.2 (M + H)⁺ 806374

483.2 (M + H)⁺ 806375

384.3 (M + H)⁺ 806383

363.3 (M + H)⁺ 806393

512.2 (M + H)⁺ 806402

411.2 (M + H)⁺433.2 (M + Na)⁺ 806417

397.2 (M + H)⁺ 806419

469.2 (M + H)⁺ 806421

511.2 (M + H)⁺ 806435

411.3 (M + H)⁺ 806437

411.3 (M + H)⁺ 806569

452.3 (M + H)⁺ 806609

495.3 (M − H)⁻ 806610

425.4 (M − H)⁻ 806647

496.3 (M + H)⁺ 806653

454.3 (M + H)⁺ 806671

409.3 (M + H)⁺ 806781

¹H NMR 806790

509.3 (M − H)⁻ 806796

¹H NMR 806820

496.3 (M + H)⁺ 806839

467.2 (M + Na)⁺ 806840

467.2 (M + Na)⁺ 806841

445.3 (M + H)⁺ 806842

397.3 (M + H)⁺ 806843

483.3 (M + H)⁺505.3 (M + Na)⁺ 806844

363.3 (M + H)⁺385.3 (M + Na)⁺ 806860

496.3 (M + H)⁺ 806874

¹H NMR 806875

¹H NMR 806878

¹H NMR 806899

¹H NMR 806900

¹H NMR 806901

497.1 (M + H)⁺ 806902

377.3 (M + H)⁺ 806903

431.1 (M + H)⁺ 806904

431.2 (M + H)⁺ 806905

431.2 (M + H)⁺ 806987

441.3 (M + H)⁺463.2 (M + Na)⁺ 807014

343.3 (M + Na)⁺ 807139

¹H NMR 807140

427.3 (M + H)⁺ 807183

463.3 (M + Na)⁺441.3 (M + H)⁺ 807240

427.2 (M + H)⁺ 807377

¹H NMR 807392

¹H NMR 807400

¹H NMR 807401

¹H NMR 807399

¹H NMR 807447

¹H NMR 807448

¹H NMR 807449

¹H NMR 807450

481.1 (M + H)⁺ 807451

481.1 (M + H)⁺ 807452

465.1 (M + H)⁺ 807453

¹H NMR 807454

¹H NMR 807457

¹H NMR 807458

¹H NMR 807459

¹H NMR 807460

481.1 (M + H)⁺ 807460

¹H NMR 807463

¹H NMR 807464

¹H NMR 807465

¹H NMR 807466

¹H NMR 807467

¹H NMR 807469

¹H NMR 807497

¹H NMR 807498

¹H NMR 807505

¹H NMR 807506

¹H NMR 807528

¹H NMR 807531

¹H NMR 807532

¹H NMR 807543

¹H NMR 807544

¹H NMR 807548

¹H NMR 807549

¹H NMR 807550

¹H NMR 807562

¹H NMR 807571

¹H NMR 807573

387.3 (M + H)⁺ 807586

¹H NMR 807636

¹H NMR 807649

¹H NMR 807660

¹H NMR 807662

¹H NMR 807663

¹H NMR 807703

¹H NMR 807704

¹H NMR 807748

¹H NMR 807749

¹H NMR 807751

¹H NMR 807754

¹H NMR 807758

¹H NMR 807762

¹H NMR 807779

¹H NMR 807794

¹H NMR 807836

¹H NMR 807862

¹H NMR 807876

¹H NMR 807892

¹H NMR 807920

¹H NMR 807930

¹H NMR 807931

¹H NMR 807952

¹H NMR 807956

¹H NMR 807962

¹H NMR 807977

¹H NMR 807978

¹H NMR 807980

¹H NMR 808028

¹H NMR 808039

¹H NMR 808069

¹H NMR 808078

¹H NMR 808079

¹H NMR 808084

¹H NMR 808086

¹H NMR 808101

¹H NMR 808102

¹H NMR 808107

¹H NMR 808151

¹H NMR 808153

¹H NMR 808164

¹H NMR 808247

¹H NMR 808254

¹H NMR 808255

¹H NMR 808283

¹H NMR 808290

¹H NMR 808312

¹H NMR 808313

¹H NMR 808346

¹H NMR 808347

¹H NMR 808355

¹H NMR 808356

¹H NMR 808364

¹H NMR 808365

¹H NMR 808371

¹H NMR 808387

¹H NMR 808548

¹H NMR 808661

¹H NMR 808663

¹H NMR 808665

¹H NMR 808675

¹H NMR 808702

¹H NMR 808833

¹H NMR 808836

¹H NMR 808984

¹H NMR

Diethyl azodicarboxylate (9.1 μL, 2.0 eq.) was added to a solution of 17(20 mg, 0.03 mmol, 1.0 eq.), triphenylphosphine (15 mg, 2.0 eq.) andphthalimide (8.5 mg, 2.0 eq.) in toluene (2 mL) at room temperature andthe resulting mixture was stirred for 19 h. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated and the intermediate was purified by chromatography (30%EtOAc-hexanes) to give 19.3 mg (81%). This intermediate was dissolved in1:1 mixture of dichloromethane and trifluoroacetic acid (2 mL) andstirred at room temperature for 2 h until reaction was completed. Thereaction was then carefully quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ (15 mL), extractedwith 7×10 mL of EtOAc. The combine extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄,filtered, concentrated and the product was purified by reverse phaseHPLC (MeOH-water) to give ER-806286 (2.4 mg, 24%). MS (ES) 423.2 (M+H)⁺.

Compound ER-806287 was prepared from 4-trifluoromethylphenol followingthe same procedure for the preparation of ER-806286. MS (ES) 438.2(M+H)⁺.

A mixture of 18 (12.5 mg, 0.018 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (0.2 mL, 65eq.) and thiophenol (10 mL, 5.5 eq.) in DMF (0.5 mL) at room temperaturewas stirred for two days. The reaction mixture was concentrated andpurified by chromatography (30% EtOAc-hexanes) to give an intermediate12.7 mg (92%). This intermediate and anisole (100 μL) were dissolved in1:1 mixture of dichloromethane and trifluoroacetic acid (2 mL) andstirred at room temperature for 40 min. The reaction was then carefullyquenched with sat. NaHCO₃ (15 mL), extracted with 7×EtOAc. The combineextracts were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered, concentrated and theproduct was purified by chromatography (5% MeOH-EtOAc) to give ER-306311(4.5 mg, 65%). MS (ES) 386.2 (M+H)⁺.

Methylsulfonyl chloride (9 μL, 2 eq.) was added to a solution of 17(40.5 mg, 0.058 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (100 μL, 10 eq.) indichloromethane (1 mL) at 0° C. and stirred for 30 min.4-hydroxypiperidine (30 mg, 5.0 eq.) and DMF (0.5 mL) were introducedand the reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred for2.5 days. The reaction was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ (10 mL) and theseparated aqueous phase was extracted with 4×EtOAc. The combine organicextracts were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered and concentrated and theproduct was purified by reverse HPLC (MeOH-water) to give anintermediate (25 mg, 65%). This intermediate was dissolved indichloromethane (0.5 mL) and treated with TPAP (5 mg) and NMO (20 mg) atroom temperature for 10 min. The reaction was quenched by addition ofwater and Na₂S₂O₃ extracted with 4×EtOAc. The combine organic extractswere dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered and concentrated and the productwas purified by chromatography (15% EtOAc-hexanes) to give anintermediate (13.7 mg). This intermediate and anisole (100 μL) weredissolved in dichloromethane (1 mL) and treated with trifluoroaceticacid (1 mL) at room temperature for 4 h. The reaction was then carefullyquenched with sat. NaHCO₃ (15 mL), extracted with 4×EtOAc. The combineextracts were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered, concentrated and theproduct was purified by reverse phase HPLC (MeOH-water) to giveER-806355 (3.4 mg, 16% for three steps). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 2.35 (t, J=6Hz, 4H), 2.49 (s, 3H), 2.70 (t, J=6 Hz, 4H), 3.67 (s, 2H), 5.74 (s, 2H),6.73 (s, 1H), 7.16 (dd, J=8.2 and 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (d, J=1.2 Hz, 1H),7.53 (d, J=8.2, 1H), 7.55 (s, 1H).

Hydrogen peroxide (4 mL, 30% in water, 3.6 eq.) was added to a solutionof thiomorpholine (1.0 g, 9.7 mmol) in acetic acid (12 mL) at roomtemperature. The resulting mixture was stirred at 100° C. overnight,cooled to room temperature and concentrated. Thiomorpholine sulfoxidefrom the residue was crystallized from ethanol as a deep colored solid.Following the general procedure for the preparation of 64, compoundER-806401 was prepared from 18 and Thiomorpholine sulfoxide. MS (ES)417.2 (M+Na)⁺.

A mixture of 18 (5 mg) and benzyl alcohol (100 μL) was treated withtBuOK (1 mL, 1.66 M in THF) at room temperature overnight. The reactionmixture was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ and extracted with 3×EtOAc. Thecombine extracts were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered, concentrated andthe crude intermediate and anisole (50 μL) were dissolved indichloromethane (0.5 mL) and treated with trifluoroacetic acid (0.5 mL)at room temperature for 3 h. The reaction was then carefully quenchedwith sat. NaHCO₃, extracted with 4×EtOAc. The combine extracts weredried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered, concentrated and the product waspurified by thin layer chromatograph (10% MeOH/EtOAc) to give ER-806404(1.0 mg, 37%). MS (ES) 384.2 (M+H)⁺.

To a solution of 5-iodoindole (5.0 g, 20.6 mmol), phenylacetylene (3.4mL, 1.5 eq.) and diethylamine (10 mL) in DMF (2 mL) was added Pd(Ph₃P)₄(120 mg, 0.005 eq.) and CuI (39 mg, 0.01 eq.) under nitrogen atmosphereat cooling water both temperature and the resulting mixture was stirredfor 3 h at room temperature. The reaction was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃(50 mL), extracted with 4×30 mL of EtOAc. The combined extracts weredried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and the product was purifiedby chromatograph (15 to 20% EtOAc/hexanes) to give5-phenylethynyl-1H-lindole (4.41 g, 98%).

Compound 5-phenylethynyl-lindole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester wasprepared from 5-phenylethynyl-1H-lindole following the procedure for thepreparation of 7 (indole-1,5-dicarboxylic acid 1-tert-butyl ester5-methyl ester as an example) from methyl indole-5-carboxylate.

Compound 5-phenylethynyl-2-tributylstannanyl-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester was prepared from 5-phenylethynyl-lindole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester following the procedure for the preparation of 10from 9.

Compound ER-806644 was prepared from5-phenylethynyl-2-tributylstannanyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester and 4 (R₁=Me) following the procedure for the preparation of 13.MS (ES) 364.2 (M+H)⁺.

A solution of ER-806644 (6.5 mg) and Lindlar catalyst (50 mg) in THF (2mL) was stirred at room temperature under hydrogen gas for 1 h. Theresulting mixture was filtered through celite and the filtrate wasconcentrated. The residual solid was washed several times with EtOAc togive ER-806645 as a light yellow solid (2.0 mg, 31%). MS (ES) 366.3(M+H)⁺.

A solution of ER-806644 (5 mg) and Pd(OH)₂ (10 mg) in THF (2 mL) wasstirred at room temperature under hydrogen gas for overnight. Theresulting mixture was filtered through celite and the filtrate wasconcentrated and the product was purified by reverse phase HPLC(MeOH-water) to give ER-806646 (1.3 mg, 26%). MS (ES) 368.3 (M+H)⁺.

A solution of 16 (20 mg) in 1:1 THF-MeOH (3 mL) at room temperature wastreated with a solution of 1 N HCl (0.5 mL) for 30 min. The reactionmixture was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃ and extracted with EtOAc. Thecombined extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and theproduct was purified by reverse phase HPLC (MeOH-water) to giveER-806095 (2.6 mg, 18%). ¹H NMR.

A solution of ER-806393 (1.3 mg) in MeOH (0.5 mL) was treated at roomtemperature with a solution of 1 N LiOH (0.1 mL) for overnight. Thereaction mixture was then neutralized with a solution of 1 N HCl (0.1mL) to pH=5 and concentrated. The residue was taken up in 1:1 MeOH-EtOAcand filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and purified by reversephase HPLC (MeOH-water) to give ER-806420 (0.5 mg, 40%). MS (ES) 496.3(M−H)—.

A mixture of 18 (15.5 mg, 0.02 mmol) and methylamine (0.11 mL, 2.0 M inTHF, 1.0 eq.) in dichloromethane (0.5 mL) was stirred at roomtemperature overnight, diluted with sat.NaHCO₃ and extracted with3×EtOAc. The combined extracts were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄, filtered andconcentrated. The residue was dissolved in DMF (0.5 mL) as a solution A.

Diisopropylethylamine (5.3 μL, 1.4 eq.) was added to a solution ofbenzoic acid (3.4 mg, 1.3 eq.) and TOTU (10 mg, 1.4 eq.) in DMF (0.3 mL)at room temperature and stirred for 15 min. Solution A was thenintroduced by rinsing with 3×0.5 mL of DMF and the resulting mixture wasstirred overnight, concentrated, diluted with sat.NaHCO₃ and extractedwith 3×EtOAc. The combined extracts were dried over Na_(2 SO) ₄,filtered and concentrated. The residue and anisole (50 μL) was dissolvedin dichloromethane (0.5 mL) and treated with trifluoroacetic acid (0.5mL) at room temperature for 3 h. The reaction mixture was carefullyquenched with sat.NaHCO₃ and EtOAc and the separated aqueous phase wasextracted with 3×EtAOc. The combined extracts were dried over Na_(2 SO)₄, filtered, concentrated and the product was purified by reverse phaseHPLC (MeOH-water) to give ER-806432 (1.4 mg, 16% for three steps). MS(ES) 411.2 (M+H)⁺.

5-nitro-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester was prepared from5-nitroindole following the same procedure for the preparation of 7 frommethyl indole-5-carboxylate.

A solution of 5-nitro-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.50 g)and catalytic amount of Pd(OH)₂ in a mixture of MeOH-EtOAc was stirredat room temperature under hydrogen for 1 h. The reaction mixture wasfiltered through celite and the filtrate was concentrated to provide5-amino-2,3-dihydro-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (0.44 g,98%).

Benzoyl chloride (305 μL, 1.5 eq.) was added to a solution of5-amino-2,3-dihydro-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (407 mg,1.74 mmol) and triethylamine (1.2 mL, 5.0 eq.) in dichloromethane (5 mL)at 0° C. and the resulting mixture was stirred for 15 min. The reactionwas then quenched by addition of sat. NaHCO₃ and the mixture wasextracted with 3×EtOAc. The combined extracts were dried over Na_(2 SO)₄, filtered, concentrated and the product was purified by chromatography(20 to 100% EtOAc-hexanes) to give5-benzoylamino-2,3-dihydro-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester(588 mg, 100%).

Sodium hydride (60 mg, 1.5 eq.) was added to a mixture of5-benzoylamino-2,3-dihydro-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester(570 mg, 1.68 mmol) and methyl iodide (0.42 mL, 4.0 eq.) in DMF (10 mL)at 0° C. and the resulting mixture was stirred for 20 min. Afterconcentration, the residue from reaction mixture was diluted with sat.NaHCO₃ and extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combined extracts were dried overNa_(2 SO) ₄, filtered, concentrated and the product was purified bychromatography (30% EtOAc-hexanes) to give5-(benzoyl-methyl-amino)-2,3-dihydro-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester (547 mg, 93%).

A mixture of 5-(benzoyl-methyl-amino)-2,3-dihydro-indole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (500 mg) and MnO₂ (5 g) in toluene (20 mL) washeated at 80° C. for 1 h. Additional MnO₂ (5 g) was introduced and theresulting mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 1 h. After cooling to roomtemperature, the mixture was filtered through celite and the filtratewas concentrated. The product was purified by chromatography (30%EtOAc-hexanes) to give 5-(benzoyl-methyl-amino)-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester (372 mg, 75%).

5-(benzoyl-methyl-amino)-2-tributylstrannanyl-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester was prepared from 5-(benzoyl-methyl-amino)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester following the procedure for thepreparation of 10 from 9.

Compound ER-807313 was prepared from5-(benzoyl-methyl-amino)-2-tributylstrannanyl-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester and 4 (R₁=Me) following the procedure for thepreparation of 13. MS (ES) 397.2 (M+H)+ and 419.1 (M+Na)⁺.

Compound ER-807015 was prepared as a by-product during preparation of 65from statically hindered amines and yielded a satisfactory ¹H NMRspectrum.

A mixture of 18 (51 mg, 1.0 eq.),(3,3-dimethyl-1,5-dioxa-spiro[5.5]undec-9-yl)-methyl-amine hydrochloride(71 mg, 4.0 eq.), ethyldiisopropylamine (0.25 mL, 20 eq.) and DMF (0.3mL) in CH₂Cl₂ (2.5 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 23 μl. Afterconcentration, the residue was dissolved in 1 N HCl (0.6 mL) and acetone(0.6 mL) and heated at reflux for 16 h. After cooling to roomtemperature, the reaction was then carefully quenched with sat. NaHCO₃,extracted with EtOAc until there was no product detected. The combineextracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated and the productwas purified by reverse phase HPLC (MeOH-water) to give ER-807586 (6.4mg, 22%). ¹HNMR and MS (ES) 403.5 (M+H)⁺.

ER-807759 was prepared following the same procedure for 13 (ER-805639 asan example) in Stille coupling reaction and for ER-807586 in ketalhydrolysis reaction. ¹HNMR and MS (ES) 389 (M+H)⁺.

To a suspension of ER-807586 (5 mg, 0.0124 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in water (0.5mL) was added NH₂OMe HCl (5.2 mg, 0.623 mmol, 50 eq.). The solid becamesoluble and saturated NaHCO₃ (0.3 mL) was slowly added and the resultingmixture was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted withEtOAc and saturated NaHCO₃, and extracted with 4×EtOAc. The organiclayers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. Thecrude mixture was purified by silica gel chromatography (10% MeOH-EtOAc)to give ER-807789 as a white solid (5.3 mg, 100%). ¹HNMR and MS (ES) 432(M+H)⁺.

To a solution of ER-807586 (15 mg) in MeOH-THF (1:1, 1 mL) was addedNaBH₄ (20 mg) and the mixture was stirred for 30 min, diluted withsaturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with 4×EtOAc. The organic layers werecombined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude mixturewas purified by reverse HPLC (MeOH—H₂O) to give ER-807790. ¹HNMR and MS(ES) 405.5 (M+H)⁺.

To a solution of n-BuLi (1.6 M in hexanes, 0.35 mL, 0.56 mmol, 31.3 eq.)in THF (2.0 mL) at 0° C. was added methyl triphenylphosphonium bromide(0.20 g, 0.56 mmol, 31 eq.). The reaction was wormed to room temperatureand stirred for 40 minutes. A portion of the solution (0.6 mL) wastransferred to another flask and ER-807586 (7.2 mg, 0.0179 mmol, 1.0eq.) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperaturefor 18 hours and water was added and the mixture was extracted with3×EtOAc. The organic layers were combined, dried over MgSO₄, filteredand concentrated. The crude mixture was purified by reverse HPLC(MeOH—H₂O) to give ER-807835 (0.8 mg, 12%) ¹H NMR and MS (ES) 401.5(M+¹H).

To a solution of ER-807586 (11.5 mg, 0.0286 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (2.0mL) at 0° C. was added MeMgCl (3.0 M in THF, 0.25 mL, 0.75 mmol, 26.3eq.). The reaction was warmed and stirred at room temperature for 18hours. The reaction was quenched with saturated NaHCO₃, and then wasextracted with 3×EtOAc. The organic layers were combined, dried overMgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The resulting mixture was purified bysilica gel chromatography (100% EtOAc, then 10% to 30% MeOH-EtOAc) togive ER-807837 (0.8 mg, 7%). ¹H NMR and MS (ES) 419.4 (M+¹H).

5-chloromethyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester was preparedfrom 8 following the procedure for the preparation of 9 but without theaddition of morpholine.

A mixture of 5-chloromethyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester(0.82 g, 3.10 mmol, 1.0 eq.), cyclohexyl mercaptan (0.53 mL, 1.4 eq.)and K₂CO₃ (0.90 g, 2.0 eq.) in DMF (6 mL) was heated at 40° C. untilreaction completed. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature,diluted with sat. NH₄Cl and extracted with diethyl ether. The organicextracts were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The resultingmixture was purified by chromatography (5% EtOAc/hexanes) to give5-cyclohexylsulfanylmethyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester(0.79 g, 74%).

ER-808036 was prepared from5-cyclohexylsulfanylmethyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl esterfollowing the procedures for the preparation of 16 from 14.

To a solution of ER-808036 (60 mg, 0.15 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (2.5 mL)and MeOH (1.5 mL) at −78° C. was added a solution of mCPBA (60 mg, ˜70%,1.6 eq.) in THF. After stirring for 2 h, the reaction was quenched byaddition of sat. Na₂S₂O₃ and sat NaHCO₃. The separated aqueous layer wasextracted with 5×EtOAc, and the combined organic phase was dried overNa_(2 SO) ₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude mixture was purifiedby chromatography (5% to 10% MeOH/EtOAc) to give semipure products (18mg and 32 mg each). After further purification by reverse phase HPLC(MeOH-water), ER-808082 (3.2 mg) and ER-808083 (3.2 mg) were obtained.¹NMR confirmed both of the products.

A mixture of 5-chloromethyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester(0.41 g, 1.55 mmol, 1.0 eq.), cyclohexanol (0.82 mL, 5.0 eq.) and Ag₂O(1.80 g, 5.0 eq.) in diethyl ether (5 mL) was stirred at 35° C. overweekend. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture wasfiltered through celite washing with ether. The filtrate wasconcentrated and the residue was purified by chromatography (3%EtOAc/hexanes) to give N-Boc-5-cyclohexyloxymethylindole (160 mg, 28%)as colorless oil. ¹HNMR comfirmed the compound.

ER-808103 was prepared from 5-cyclohexyloxylmethyl-indole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester following the procedures for the preparation of 16from 14. Both MS (ES) and ¹HNMR comfirmed the compound.

To a suspension of compound 3 (R=Me, 300 mg, 1.03 μmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF(5 mL) at room temperature was added dropwise LiAH₄ (1.0 M in THF, 2.56mL, 2.5 eq.) and the resulting mixture was then heated at 65° C. for 30min. Afetr cooling to 0° C., the reaction was quenched by addition ofMeOH (1.2 mL, 30 eq.) and water (30 eq.), stirred and warmed to roomtemperature and filtered through celite washing with EtOAc. The filtratewas concentrated and the residue was purified by silica gelchromatography (EtOAc then 10% MeOH-EtOAc) to give7-chloro-2-methyl-5-methylamino-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine as a whitesolid (190 mg, 94%). ER-808040 was prepared from7-chloro-2-methyl-5-methylamino-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and5-[(cyclohexyl-methyl-amino)-methyl]-2-tributylstannanyl-indole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (prepared from 8 and cyclohexyl-methyl-aminefollowing the procedures for the preparation of 10) following theprocedure for the preparation of 13. ¹HNMR confirmed the compound.

To a solution of ER-807790 (17 mg, 0.042 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (1 inL) at 0° C. was added (MeOCH₂CH₂)₂NSF₃ (14 mL, 1.8 eq.) and theresulting mixture was stirred for 1 h at 0° C. and 1 h at roomtemperature. The reaction was quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ and theseparated aqueous layer was extractred with CH₂Cl₂ followed by EtOAc-THF(1:1). The combined organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄, filteredand concentrated. The residue was purified by reverse HPLC (MeOH-water)to give ER-808128 (2 mg, 13%). ¹H NMR and MS confirmed the structure.

5-formyl-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester or6-formyl-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester

To a solution of the 8 (8.0 g, 32.4 mmol, 1 eq.) in CH₂Cl₂ (24 mL) wasadded portionwise Dess-Martin reagent (17.9 g, 1.3 eq.) at 0° C. and theresulting mixture was warmed slowly to room temperature and stirred for30 min. The reaction mixture was diluted with Et₂O (100 mL), filteredthrough celite rinsing with Et₂O (50 m). The filtrate was washed withsat. NaHCO₃, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crudeproduct was azeotroped with tolune to give 5-formyl-indole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (7.3 g, 95%) or similarly6-formyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Mg (turnings) was activated by washing with 1N HCl and Et₂O, and driedon high vacuum overnight Bromomethylcyclohexane (0.8 mL, 1 eq.) in Et₂O(4 mL) was added to the activated Mg (418 mg, 3 eq.) in Et₂O (10 mL)slowly to keep the internal temperature at 30-33° C. The resultingreaction mixture was heated at 34° C. for 1 h and cooled to 0° C. Asolution of 5-formyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (900 mg)in Et₂O (15 mL) was then introduced and the resulting mixture was warmedto room temperature, heated at 30-32° C. for 4 h, cooled to roomtemperature and then quenched with the addition of sat. NH₄Cl. Theseparated aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc, the combined organiclayer was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude productwas purified by chromatography (10% to 25% EtOAc/hexanes) to give thecorresponding alcohol (949 mg, 85%).

To a mixture of the alcohol (513 mg, 1 eq.) and Et₃N (625 μL, 3 eq.) inCH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) at 0° C. was added methanesulfonic anhydride (390 mg, 1.5eq.). The cooling bath was removed and the resulting mixture was stirredfor 2.5 h and diluted with sat. NaHCO₃. The separated aqueous layer wasextracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄,filtered and concentrated. The crude product was purified bychromatography (hexanes to 10% EtOAc/hexanes) to give5-(2-cyclohexyl-vinyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (380mg, 78%).

ER-808281 was prepared from 5-(2-cyclohexyl-vinyl)-indole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester following the procedures for the preparation of 16from 14. MS (ES) and ¹HNMR confirmed the compound.

A solution of ER-808281 (10 mg, 1 eq.) in MeOH (5 mL) with 10% Pd/C(catalytic) was kept under positive H₂-atmosphere overnight at roomtemperature. The mixture was then loaded onto silica gel eluting withEtOAc to 20% MeOH/EtOAc to give ER-808469 (7.5 mg). MS (ES) and ¹HNMRconfirmed the compound.

5-vinyl-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester or6-vinyl-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester

T a suspension of methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (8.1 g, 22.7 mmol)in THF (140 mL) at 0° C. was added nBuLi (1.6 M in hexanes, 14.2 mL,22.7 mmol) dropwise over 10 min. After 10 min of stirring, a solution ofthe 5-formyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (4.63 g, 14.8mmol) in THF (20 mL) was introduced slowly over 20 min. The reaction waswarmed slowly to room temperature, stirred 30 min. The reaction mixturewas poured into saturated ammonium chloride and the separated aqueousphase was extracted with ethylacetate (3×100 mL). The combined organicphase was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. Theresidue was purified by chromatography (methylene chloride to 1%acetone-methylene chloride) to give 5-vinyl-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester (4.7 g, 100%) or similarly 6-vinyl-indole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester.

5-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester or6-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester

To a solution of 5-vinyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (4.5g, 18.5 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (46 mL) at 0° C. was added 9-BBN (0.5 M inTHF, 87 mL, 2.4 eq.) over 10 min. The resulting reaction mixture wasstirred for 2.5 h and diluted with THF (150 mL) and water (150 mL) whilekeeping the temperature at 0° C. Then NaBO₃ 4H₂O (44 g) was introducedand resulting reaction mixture was stirred and warmed to roomtemperature and stirred. The reaction mixture was diluted with methylenechloride (100 mL) and the separated aqueous layer was extracted 3×100 mLmethylene chloride. The combined organic layers were dried over sodiumsulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified bychromatography (methylene chloride to 5% acetone/methylene chloride) togive 5-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (3.82g, 76%) or similarly 6-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester.

5-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester or5-[2-(cyclohexyl-methyl-amino)-ethyl]-indole-1-carboxylic Acidtert-Butyl Ester or 6-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic Acidtert-Butyl Ester or6-[2-(cyclohexyl-methyl-amino)-ethyl]-indole-1-carboxylic Acidtert-Butyl Ester

To a solution of 5-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester (260 mg, 1 mmol, 1.0 eq.), triphenyl phosphine (391 mg, 1.5 eq.)and Imidazole (136 mg, 2 eq.) in methylene chloride (5 mL) was addediodine (328 mg, 1.3 eq.) in small portions over 20 min at roomtemperature. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extractedwith 4×100 mL of methylene chloride. The combined organic phase wasdried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue waspurified by silica gel chromatography (20% EtOAc/hexanes) to give asemipure iodide (600 mg). This iodide was then dissolved in MeOH (10 mL)and treated with morphoiline (1.73 mL, 20 eq.) at 60° C. for overnight.The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, poured into waterand extracted with methylene chloride. The combined organic layers weredried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue waspurified by silica gel column chromatography (methylene chloride to 15%acetone/methylene chloride) to give5-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester(290 mg, 88%) or similarly or 5-[2-(cyclohexyl-methyl-amino)-ethyl]-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester or 6-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester or 6-[2-(cyclohexyl-methyl-amino)-ethyl]-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester.

5-(2-methoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester or6-(2-methoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester

To a solution of the 5-formyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester(3.4 g, 13.8 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in toluene (35 mL) was added Ph₃P═CHCO₂Me(5.5 g, 1.2 eq.) at room temperature and the resulting mixture wasstirred overnight. After concentration, the crude product purified bysilica gel column chromatography (methylene chloride to 1%acetone-methylene chloride) to give5-(2-methoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester(5.03 g, 90%) or similarly6-(2-methoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.

5-(3-hydroxy-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester or6-(3-hydroxy-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Ester

To a solution of methyl 5-(2-methoxycarbonyl-vinyl)-indole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (4.64 g, 15.3 mmol, 1.0 eq.) in THF (87 mL) at−30° C. was added LiAlH₄ (1 N in THF, 18.6 mL, 1.2 eq.) by syringe pumpover 20 min and the resulting mixture was stirred and warmed to −5° C.After cooling back to −30° C., the reaction was then quenched by slowaddition of acetone (10 mL) keeping temperature below −15° C., pouredinto Rochelle salt at 0° C., stirred for 1 h and the separated aqueouslayer was extracted with EtOAc. The combunede organic phase was driedover sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue waspurification by column chromatography (methylene chloride to 2%acetone/methylene chloride) to give5-(3-hydroxy-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (2.89g, 70%) or or similarly 6-(3-hydroxy-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester.

5-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-Butyl Esteror 6-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic Acid tert-ButylEster

To a solution 5-(3-hydroxy-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester (0.95 mg, 3.48 mmol, 1.0 eq.) and Et₃N (1.8 mL, 3.0 eq.) inmethylene chloride (10 mL) at 0° C. was added MsCl (0.40 mL, 1.5 eq.).The resulting mixture was stirred for 30 min and wormed to roomtemperature and stirred for additional 1 h. Then cyclohexyl-methyl-amine(8.3 mL, 18 eq.) was introduced and the resulting mixture was stirredover weekend, diluted with sat. NaHCO₃ and the separated aqueous phasewas extracted with 3×EtOAc. The combined organic phase was dried overNa_(2 SO) ₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified bysilica gel chromatography (50% EtOAc/hexanes) to give5-(3-morpholin-4-3,1-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl esteror similarly 6-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester.

Analogs ER-808501, ER-808514, ER-8085042 and ER-808544 are prepared from5-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester,5-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester,6-(3 -morpholin-4-yl-propenyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl esterand 6-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl esterfollowing the same procedures for the preparation of 16 from 14.

A solution of 20 (51 mg) in methylene chloride (1 mL) was treated atroom temperature with trifluoroacetic acid (1 mL) for 3 h andconcentrated. The solid residue was washed with Et₂O and MeOH to givecrude product (18.2 mg). The crude product was then purified by reversephase HPLC (MeOH-water) to give ER-809047 (9.6 mg, 44%). MS (ES), ⁹F and¹HNMR confirmed the structure.

A mixture of 7-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (J. Heterocyclic. Chem.198′, 19, 513) (250 mg, contain 25% of5-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine),2-tributylstannanyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (11, 822mg) and tetrakis(triphenyphosphine)palladium(0) (188 mg) in DMF (10 mL)was heated at 120° C. for 6 h. The reaction mixture was extracted withAcOEt, and washed with water and brine. Organic layer was dried overMgSO₄ and evaporated. The residue was purified by chromatography(AcOEt/hexane) to give 7-(1H-indol-2-yl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridineIC-261 (28 mg) as a pale brown solid. ¹H NMR confirmed the structure.

A mixture of 2 (1.66 g, 6 mmol), 2-tributylstannanyl-indole-1-carboxylicacid tert-butyl ester (11, 3.6 g, 7 mmol), triethylamine (0.83 ml, 6mmol), and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (600 mg, 10 mol %)in DMF (10 mL) was heated at 130° C. for 6 h. During the reaction, 11was added in two portions (1.01 g×2). The reaction mixture was extractedwith ethyl acetate and washed with water, and dried over anhydrousmagnesium sulfate. After filtration, silica gel (400 mesh) was added tothe residue and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography(AcOEt/MeOH) to give IC-395 (240 mg) and IC-375 (80 mg). ¹H NMRconfirmed the structure.

(7-chloro-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-yl)-carbamic AcidEthyl Ester

To a solution of diethyl 4-chloro-5-nitro-2,6-pyridinedicarbamate(intermediate for the preparation of 1) (500 mg) in EtOH (50 mL) wasadded Raney Ni (1 g) and stirred for 12 h under hydrogen atmosphere atroom temperature. Reaction mixture was filtered on celite and filtratewas concentrated under reduced pressure. Residue was dissolved in2-propanol (10 mL) and stirred for 60 h under reflux. The reactionmixture was cooled to room temperature and precipitate was filtered. Thefiltrate was concentrated to give 250 mg of(7-chloro-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-yl)-carbamic acidethyl ester as a gray solid. ¹H NMR confirmed the structure.

A mixture of(7-chloro-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-yl)-carbamic acidethyl ester (240 mg), 2-tributylstannanyl-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester (11, 472 mg) andtetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (54 mg) in DMF (10 mL) washeated at 120° C. for 4 h. Additional2-tributylstannanyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (11, 472mg) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium(0) (54 mg) was introducedand the resulting mixture was heated at 120° C. for an additional 12 h.The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure andpurified by chromatography (AcOEt/MeOH) to give IC-380 (20 mg) as a palegray solid. ¹H NMR confirmed the structure.

(2-amino-7-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-yl)-carbamic Acid EthylEster

Cyanogen bromide (0.55 g, 5.2 mmol) was added to a stirred solution ofethyl 5,6-diamino-4-chloro-2-pyridinecarbamate (intermediate for thepreparation of 1, 1.00 g, 4.3 mmol) in 20 mL of ethanol at roomtemperature. The solution was stirred for 3 h and then at 60° C. for 3h. The precipitate was filtered and washed with diethyl ether to give(2-amino-7-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-yl)-carbamic acid ethylester (0.55 g, 38%) as a yellow powder. ¹H NMR confirmed the structure.

IC-416 was obtained from(2-amino-7-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-yl)-carbamic acid ethylester and 11 by using the typical procedure described for IC-380. ¹H NMRconfirmed the structure.

7-iodo-2-alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine

Compound 7-iodo-2-alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine(7-iodo-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine,7-iodo-2-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine,7-iodo-2-ethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine) and/or its HI salt wasprepared from 4-chloro-pyridine-2,3-diamine (Recueil, 1969, 88,1263-1274) following the same procedure for the preparation of 2 and 4from 1.

5-fluoro-7-iodo-2-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine

To a solution of 4 (R₂=Me, HI mono-salt, 300 mg, 0.75 mmol, 1.0 eq.) inHBF₄ (48-51% in water, 3 mL) at 0° C. was added NaNO₂ (1.0 g, 19 eq.)portionwise over 1 h period keeing the reaction temperature under 4° C.The resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 40 min and at roomtemperature for 30 min. The reaction was then quenched with sat NaHCO₃and the resulting mixture was extracted with 5×Et₂O. The combinedorganic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to give5-fluoro-7-iodo-2-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine as a light brownsolid (170 mg, 86%). ¹⁹FNMR, ¹HNMR and MS confirmed the structure.

Compound 66 was prepared from 7-iodo-2-alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine(or its HI mono-salt) or5-fluoro-7-iodo-2-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and 15 following thesame procedure for the preparation of 13 or 64.

Compound 67 was prepared from 7-iodo-2-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridineand 15 following the same procedure for the preparation of 65. ER-# 1.Structure of 66 or 67 ¹H NMR and/or MS 807496

¹H NMR 807584

¹H NMR 807585

¹H NMR 807587

¹H NMR 807750

¹H NMR 807787

¹H NMR 807788

¹H NMR 807865

¹H NMR 808009

¹H NMR 808081

¹H NMR 808085

¹H NMR 808160

¹H NMR 808256

¹H NMR 808257

¹H NMR 808259

¹H NMR 808260

¹H NMR 808261

¹H NMR 808262

¹H NMR 808266

¹H NMR 808268

¹H NMR 808269

¹H NMR 808284

¹H NMR 808285

¹H NMR 808286

¹H NMR 808287

¹H NMR 808288

¹H NMR 808289

¹H NMR 808291

¹H NMR 808310

¹H NMR 808311

¹H NMR 808319

¹H NMR 808322

¹H NMR 808361

¹H NMR 808362

¹H NMR 808363

¹H NMR 808370

¹H NMR 808372

¹H NMR 808385

¹H NMR 808386

¹H NMR 808388

¹H NMR 808469

¹H NMR 808470

¹H NMR 808473

¹H NMR 808496

¹H NMR 808497

¹H NMR 808498

¹H NMR 808499

¹H NMR 808500

¹H NMR 808513

¹H NMR 808541

¹H NMR 808543

¹H NMR 808571

¹H NMR 808600

¹H NMR 808617

¹H NMR 808620

¹H NMR 808622

¹H NMR 808623

¹H NMR 808624

¹H NMR 808628

¹H NMR 808629

¹H NMR 808631

¹H NMR 808635

¹H NMR 808636

¹H NMR 808637

¹H NMR 808660

¹H NMR 808672

¹H NMR 808673

¹H NMR 808691

¹H NMR 808692

¹H NMR 808703

¹H NMR 808704

¹H NMR 808705

¹H NMR 808711

¹H NMR 808712

¹H NMR 808713

¹H NMR 808714

¹H NMR 808717

¹H NMR 808719

¹H NMR 808720

¹H NMR 808834

¹H NMR 808835

¹H NMR 808849

¹H NMR 809187

¹H NMR 809196

MS 809197

MS 809198

MS 809199

MS 809200

MS 809201

MS 809202

MS 809203

MS 809204

MS 809205

MS 809206

MS 809207

MS 809208

MS 809209

MS 809210

MS 809211

MS 809212

MS 809213

MS 809214

MS 809215

MS 809216

MS 809217

MS 809218

MS 809219

MS 809220

MS 809221

MS 809222

MS 809223

MS 809224

MS 809225

MS 809226

MS 809227

MS 809228

MS 809229

MS 809230

MS 809231

MS 809232

MS 809233

MS 809234

MS 809235

MS 809236

MS 809237

MS 809238

MS

7-iodo-2-methyl-1,4-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-one

To a solution of compound 4 (R=Me, 160 mg, 0.59 mmol) in 10 mL of 20%aqueous H₂SO₄ at 0° C. was added sodium nitrite (1.54 mmol) in smallportions and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight. The reaction mixture was neutralized with sat. aqueous NH₃ topH 7-8, and the resulting precipitate was collected to give a yellowsolid. This solid was then crystallized in water to give 140 mg ofproduct 7-iodo-2-methyl-1,4-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-one (87%)with satisfactory MS and ¹H NMR.

ER-807546 was prepared from7-iodo-2-methyl-1,4-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-one and 10(R′=PhCH₂, R”=Me) following the same procedure for the preparation of13. Satisfactory MS and ¹H NMR were obtained for ER-807546.

Analogs ER-809251 and ER-809252 are prepared from7-iodo-2-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and6-[2-(cyclohexyl-methyl-amino)-ethyl]-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester and5-[2-(cyclohexyl-methyl-amino)-ethyl]-indole-1-carboxylic acidtert-butyl ester respectively following the same procedures for thepreparation of 16 from 14.

3) Biological Assays

HUVEC Assay Protocol:

Pooled human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC, Clonetics, Inc)were seeded in 96 well plates at 5×10⁴ cell/ml and incubated at 37° C.The following day, 20 μl of the each compound dilution was added to thecells and incubated for 30 minutes followed by stimulation with TNFα (1ng/ml) for four hours at 37° C. After TNF stimulation, the plates werewashed with PBS containing 0.5% BSA, fixed with 0.025% glutaraldehyde,and stained with primary and secondary antibodies for detection ofE-selectin and ICAM expression. The plates were incubated with 100 μl ofthe primary murine anti-human E-selectin and anti-human ICAM antibody(R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) diluted 1:500 in PBS containing 0.5%BSA and 5% FBS for one hour after which the plates were washed andincubated with 100 aI of a secondary peroxidase conjugated goatanti-mouse IgG antibody (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.) diluted 1:10,000 inPBS/0.5% BSA/5% FBS for 30 minutes. The plates were then washed and 100μl of TMB substrate was added and the color reaction was allowed todevelop for 15-20 minutes. The reaction was stopped by the addition of50 μl of 1 N H₂SO₄ and the optical density (OD) was read on microplatespectrophotometer at 450 nm. IC₅₀ values were determined based onpercent inhibition as calculated by the following formula:${\%\quad{Inhibition}} = {( {1 - ( \frac{( {{{{avg}.\quad{compound}}\quad{OD}} - {{avg}\quad{blank}\quad{OD}}} )}{( {{{{avg}.\quad{TNF}}\quad{OD}} - {{{avg}.\quad{blank}}\quad{OD}}} )} )} )*100}$

1. A compound having the structure (I):

or pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof; wherein n is aninteger from 0-4; R₁ is hydrogen, —NH₂, —NHMe, —NHAc, —OH, F, —OMe, —CN,or —NH(C═O)OEt; R₂ is hydrogen, —NR_(A)R_(B), —OR_(A), an aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein R_(A) and R_(B) areeach independently hydrogen or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl orheteroaryl moiety; each occurrence of R₃ is independently hydrogen,halogen, cyano, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroarylmoiety, or a group -G-R_(C), wherein G is absent or is —CH₂—, —NR_(D)—,—O—, or (C═O), and wherein R_(C) is hydrogen, —NR_(F)R_(G), —OR_(F),—SR_(F), or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety,wherein R_(D), R_(F) and R_(G) are each independently hydrogen,—NR_(x)R_(y), an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic,cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, an acyl moietysubstituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroarylmoiety, or wherein R_(D) and R_(C) or R_(F) and R_(G) taken together area 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-membered substituted or unsubstitutedcycloaliphatic or cycloheteroaliphatic moiety; wherein each occurrenceof R_(x) and R_(y) is independently hydrogen, an aliphatic,cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic, cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, orheteroaryl moiety, an acyl moiety substituted with an aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein R_(x) and R_(y)taken together are a 4-, 5- or 6-membered substituted or unsubstituted,saturated or unsaturated cycloaliphatic or cycloheteroaliphatic moiety;whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moieties maybe independently substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, linearor branched, saturated or unsaturated and wherein each of the foregoingaryl or heteroaryl moieties may be independently substituted orunsubstituted.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has thestructure:

wherein R_(3a) and R_(3b) are each independently hydrogen, halogen,cyano, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, or agroup -G-R_(C), wherein G is absent, —CH₂—, —NR_(D)—, —O—, or (C═O), andwherein R_(C) is hydrogen, —NR_(F)R_(G), —OR_(F), —SR_(F), or analiphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein R_(D),R_(F) and R_(G) are each independently hydrogen, —NR_(x)R_(y), analiphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic, cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl,or heteroaryl moiety, an acyl moiety substituted with an aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein R_(D) and R_(C)or R_(F) and R_(G) taken together are a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-memberedsubstituted or unsubstituted cycloaliphatic or cycloheteroaliphaticmoiety; wherein each occurrence of R_(x) and R_(y) is independentlyhydrogen, an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic,cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, an acyl moietysubstituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroarylmoiety, or wherein R_(x) and R_(y) taken together are a 4-, 5- or6-membered substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturatedcycloaliphatic or cycloheteroaliphatic moiety; whereby each of theforegoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moieties may be independentlysubstituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched,saturated or unsaturated; and wherein each of the foregoing aryl orheteroaryl moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.3. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R_(3a) and R_(3b) are each independently hydrogen, halogen,cyano, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, or agroup -G-R_(C), wherein G is absent, —CH₂—, —NR_(D)—, —O—, or (C═O), andwherein R_(C) is hydrogen, —NR_(F)R_(G), —OR_(F), —SR_(F), or analiphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, wherein R_(D),R_(F) and R_(G) are each independently hydrogen, —NR_(x)R_(y), analiphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic, cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl,or heteroaryl moiety, an acyl moiety substituted with an aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroaryl moiety, or wherein R_(D) and R_(C)or R_(F) and R_(G) taken together are a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-memberedsubstituted or unsubstituted cycloaliphatic or cycloheteroaliphaticmoiety; wherein each occurrence of R_(x) and R_(y) is independentlyhydrogen, an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic,cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, an acyl moietysubstituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroarylmoiety, or wherein R_(x) and R_(y) taken together are a 4-, 5- or6-membered substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturatedcycloaliphatic or cycloheteroaliphatic moiety; whereby each of theforegoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moieties may be independentlysubstituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched,saturated or unsaturated; and wherein each of the foregoing aryl orheteroaryl moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.4. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R₁, R₂, R_(F) and R_(G) are as defined in claim
 1. 5. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R₁, R₂, R_(F) and R_(G) are as defined in claim
 1. 6. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R₁, R₂, R_(F) and R_(G) are as defined in claim
 1. 7. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein q and r are each independently 0 or 1; and R₁, R₂, R_(F) andR_(G) are as defined in claim
 1. 8. The compound of claim 1, wherein thecompound has the structure:

wherein q and r are each independently 0 or 1; and R₁, R₂, R_(F) andR_(G) are as defined in claim
 1. 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein thecompound has the structure:

wherein R₁, R₂, R_(F) and R_(G) are as defined in claim
 1. 10. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R₁, R₂, R_(F) and R_(G) are as defined in claim
 1. 11. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 1; m is 0, 1 or 2; and R_(F)is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic, cycloheteroaliphatic,aryl, or heteroaryl moiety; whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic orheteroaliphatic moieties may be independently substituted orunsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated; and wherein each of the foregoing aryl or heteroarylmoieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.
 12. Thecompound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 1; and R_(F) is hydrogen, aprotective group or an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heteroaliphatic,cycloheteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety; whereby each of theforegoing aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moieties may be independentlysubstituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched,saturated or unsaturated; and wherein each of the foregoing aryl orheteroaryl moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.13. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 1; G is CH₂ or —(C═O); and Xis O, S, C═O, S═O, C═CR₄R₅, NR₄, or CR₄R₅; wherein each occurrence of R₄and R₅ is independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano an aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or is an acyl moietysubstituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroarylmoiety; whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphaticmoieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic oracyclic, linear or branched, and wherein each of the foregoing aryl orheteroaryl moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.14. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 1; G is CH₂ or C═O); and X isO, S, C═O, S═O, C═CR₄R₅, NR₄, or CR₄R₅; wherein each occurrence of R₄and R₅ is independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano an aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or is an acyl moietysubstituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroarylmoiety; whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphaticmoieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic oracyclic, linear or branched, and wherein each of the foregoing aryl orheteroaryl moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.15. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 1; G is CH₂ or —(C═O); and Xis O, S, C═O, S═O, C═CR₄R₅, NR₄, or CR₄R₅; wherein each occurrence of R₄and R₅ is independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, halogen, cyano an aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or is an acyl moietysubstituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroarylmoiety; whereby each of the foregoing aliphatic or heteroaliphaticmoieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic oracyclic, linear or branched, and wherein each of the foregoing aryl orheteroaryl moieties may be independently substituted or unsubstituted.16. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound has the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ are as defined in claim 1; p is an integer from 0-3; sis an integer from 0-4; A, B, D, E and each occurrence of K areindependently absent, O, S, —C═O, —S═O, —C═CR₄R₅, —NR₄, or —CR₄R₅,wherein each occurrence of R and R₅ is independently hydrogen, hydroxyl,halogen, cyano, —OR_(x), —SR_(x), —NR_(x)R_(y), an aliphatic,heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl moiety, or is an acyl moietysubstituted with an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl or heteroarylmoiety; and wherein A and B, B and D, D and E, E and K and any twoadjacent K groups may be linked by a single or double bond as valencypermits; wherein each occurrence of R_(x) and R_(y) is independentlyhydrogen, a protecting group, or an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl,heteroaryl, aliphaticaryl, heteroaliphatic aryl, aliphaticheteroaryl orheteroaliphaticheteroaryl moiety; whereby each of the foregoingaliphatic or heteroaliphatic moieties may be independently substitutedor unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated and wherein each of the foregoing aryl, heteroarylaliphaticaryl, heteroaliphatic aryl, aliphaticheteroaryl orheteroaliphaticheteroaryl moieties may be independently substituted orunsubstituted.
 17. The compound of any one of claims 1-16, wherein R₁ isNH₂.
 18. The compound of any one of claims 1-16, wherein R₁ is hydrogen.19. The compound of any one of claims 1-16, wherein R₂ is NH₂, OH, C₁-C₆alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkenyl, said alkyl and alkenyl groups optionallysubstituted with halogen or hydroxyl.
 20. The compound of any one ofclaims 1-16, wherein R₂ is C₁-C₂ alkyl.
 21. The compound of any one ofclaims 1-16, wherein R₂ is methyl.
 22. The compound of any one of claims1-16, wherein R₂ is hydrogen.
 23. The compound of any one of claims4-10, wherein one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and theother is an alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl oralkylheteroaryl, optionally independently substituted for eachoccurrence with one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, orsubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, orwherein R_(F) and R_(C) taken together are a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or8-membered substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclicor heterocyclic moiety.
 24. The compound of any one of claims 4-10,wherein one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and the otheris an aryl, heteroaryl, alkylaryl or alkylheteroaryl moiety, optionallyindependently substituted for each occurrence with one or more ofhalogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, or wherein R_(F) and R_(G) takentogether are a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-membered substituted orunsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclic or heterocyclic moiety.25. The compound of claim 24, wherein one of R_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogenor lower alkyl; and the other is phenyl, pyridyl, (alkyl)phenyl, or(alkyl)pyridyl, optionally substituted with one or more occurrences ofhalogen, trifluromethoxy, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, methylthio, orsubstituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower heteroalkyl, aryl orheteroaryl.
 26. The compound of any one of claims 4-10, wherein one ofR_(F) or R_(G) is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and the other is a cyclic oracyclic, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic moietyoptionally substituted with one or more of substituted or unsubstitutedaryl, heteroaryl, amide, alkoxy, hydroxyl, thioalkyl, thiol, acyl oramino.
 27. The compound of claim 11, wherein R_(F) is an alkyl,cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylarylor alkylheteroaryl, optionally independently substituted for eachoccurrence with one or more of halogen, alkoxy, thioalkyl, orsubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl.28. The compound of claim 12, wherein R_(F) is hydrogen, a protectinggroup, or an alkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, aryl,heteroaryl, alkylaryl or alkylheteroaryl, optionally independentlysubstituted for each occurrence with one or more of halogen, alkoxy,thioalkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, orheteroaryl.
 29. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound ofclaim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent; andoptionally further comprising an additional therapeutic agent.
 30. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 29, wherein the compound is presentin an amount effective to inhibit inflammatory cytokine pathway.
 31. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 29, wherein the compound is presentin an amount effective to inhibit cell proliferation.
 32. Thepharmaceutical composition of claim 29, wherein the compound is presentin an amount effective to exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect. 33-59.(canceled)
 60. A method for treating an inflammatory or autoimmunedisorder or proliferative disorder comprising: administering to asubject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compoundof claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent; andoptionally further comprising administering an additional therapeuticagent. 61-87. (canceled)
 88. The method of claim 60, wherein theinflammatory or autoimmune disorder or proliferative disorder isrheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease, centralnervous system diseases (CNS) such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupuserythematosus, asthma, allograft rejection/graft versus host disease(GVHD), psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, uticaria, allergicrhinitis, myasthenia gravis, diabetes, idiopathic thrombocytopeniapurpura, glomerulonephritis, cardiovascular disease, or cancer.
 89. Themethod of claim 60, wherein the inflammatory disorder is rheumatoidarthritis.
 90. The method of claim 60, wherein the inflammatory disorderis ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease.
 91. The method of claim 60,wherein the inflammatory disorder is multiple sclerosis.
 92. The methodof claim 60, wherein the inflammatory disorder is asthma.
 93. The methodof claim 60, wherein the inflammatory disorder is psoriasis.
 94. Themethod of claim 60, wherein the inflammatory disorder is allograftrejection/GVHD.
 95. The method of claim 60, wherein the inflammatorydisorder is idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura.
 96. The method of claim60, wherein the inflammatory disorder is allergic rhinitis.
 97. Themethod of claim 60, wherein the inflammatory disorder is atopicdermatitis.
 98. The method of claim 60, wherein the inflammatorydisorder is systemic lupus erythematosus.
 99. The method of claim 60,wherein the inflammatory disorder is glomerulonephritis.
 100. The methodof claim 60, wherein the inflammatory disorder is diabetes.